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Coronavirus: Shanghai authority wants sports events suspended

Deaths related to the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China rose to 490 on Wednesday. Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Shanghai sports authorities have recommended the suspension of all sporting events in the city due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Shanghai Sports General Association has suggested that all sporting bodies should suspend sporting events until the threat of coronavirus is over and "formulate a plan for epidemic prevention to avoid internal infections," the organization said in a statement.

Formula One's Chinese Grand Prix in April is in doubt as speculation mounts that the event will be cancelled amid the coronavirus epidemic. Many other sports events in the country have been affected, including the PGA Tour China.

Deaths related to the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China rose to 490 on Wednesday.

The Formula One event, set to take place on April 14, is looking uncertain to go ahead as planned -- the World Health Organisation has declared a world health emergency as the virus continues to emerge in new countries.

Tokyo Olympics organizers have said that they are increasingly concerned about the disruption the fast-spreading coronavirus in China is causing ahead of the Games, which open in just under six months.