Japanese swimmer Ikee tries to turn tide as coronavirus saps blood donations

FILE PHOTO: Swimming - 2018 Asian Games - Women's 50m Freestyle - GBK Aquatic Center, Jakarta, Indonesia - August 24, 2018 Japan's Rikako Ikee celebrates with her medal after winning the Women's 50m Freestyle REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese star swimmer Rikako Ikee, who stunned fans last year with news she was battling leukaemia, has launched an urgent appeal for people to give blood after steps to curb the spread of coronavirus led to a sharp drop in donations.

Ikee, who left hospital in December and has vowed to target the Paris 2024 Olympics, said on Twitter there were people whose lives depended on donations and the "drastic decrease" was causing anxiety.