Amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, Tokyo Olympics organizers have admitted that the global outbreak could wreak havoc on preparations for the 2020 Games, which are scheduled to start in less than six months.

"We are extremely worried in the sense that the spread of the infectious virus could pour cold water on momentum for the Games," said Toshiro Muto, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, during a meeting in Tokyo.

"I hope that it can be eradicated as quickly as possible. We plan to cooperate with the IOC (International Olympic Committee), the IPC (International Paralympic Committee), the government and the city of Tokyo to tackle the disease," he added.

Saburo Kawabuchi, the mayor of the Athletes' Village where 11,000 Olympians are expected to stay, expressed similar sentiment, according to the Guardian.

"I truly hope that the infectious disease will die down somehow so that we will be able to operate the Paralympics and Olympics smoothly," he was quoted as saying. "In the worst case we will do our utmost for the athletes so that they will be able to concentrate on performing their best."

Kawabuchi's apprehension were echoed by Tokyo's governor Yuriko Koike, who declared that the top priority for the city is containing the rapidly spreading virus.

"We must firmly tackle the new coronavirus to contain it, or we are going to regret it," she said on the sidelines of an opening ceremony for a 15,000-seat gymnasium in eastern Tokyo that will host volleyball and wheelchair basketball competitions this summer.

"I would like you to wash your hands and fingers properly, and wear masks to protect yourselves. There are many ways to do it, but I'd like you to start yourselves with such small steps to control it," said Koike.

The coronavirus outbreak has prompted organizers to cancel or postpone a host of sporting events slated to take place in China, but the IOC urged calm in response to the virus.

"We have full confidence that the relevant authorities, in particular in Japan, China and the World Health Organization (WHO), will take all the necessary measures to address the situation. Preparations for Tokyo 2020 continue as planned," said an IOC spokesperson.

The Tokyo Olympics begin on July 24 with the Paralympics starting on August 25. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed that the country would work with the WHO to ensure preparations for the Tokyo Olympics would not be disrupted.

"By coordinating our efforts with the WHO and other related agencies, we will take appropriate steps so that preparations to hold the events will steadily continue," Abe told a parliamentary session.

Earlier this week, China called on relevant countries to handle the coronavirus epidemic with aplomb. 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the Chinese government has taken the most comprehensive and strict prevention and control measures after the outbreak, many of which have far exceeded what international health regulations required.

Hua also quoted the director-general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as saying China is "setting a new standard" for outbreak response.

On Thursday morning, Chinese health authorities reported 3,694 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 73 new deaths as of Wednesday.

Japan has no reported deaths so far, but 20 people aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus. 

(With input from agencies)