Oleg Matytsin has offered Russia as an alternative host for any sporting events that were supposed to be held in China ©Getty Images

Minister of Sports of Russia, Oleg Matytsin, has said the country are ready to host any sporting events that are affected by the coronavirus, with so many already cancelled or postponed in China. 

Top sporting events including the World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Shanghai Formula One Grand Prix have been postponed due to the outbreak.

The news comes as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have had to postpone three Asia Cup qualifiers, with the Asian Games water polo results from last year being used for Olympic qualifying after the qualification event was cancelled this week.

"If the need arises and we will understand that the quality of the competition will be high, and if this will be a real help to our colleagues from China, then we will do our best," said Matytsin in a report by TASS.

Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic continues to suffer from infection throughout the city which led to so many sporting events being cancelled in the nation ©Getty Images
Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic continues to suffer from infection throughout the city which led to so many sporting events being cancelled in the nation ©Getty Images

"I believe that the problem with the virus will be localised in the near future, but it will affect the holding of international competitions. 

"Will it have a long-term effect? I hope not. 

"We know the positive aspects of the model for the development of sports in China and I hope that our international cooperation will be in studying this experience."

To date, 67,000 people have been infected by the disease with 1,527 people dying while over 8,000 have recovered. 

The first death outside Asia occurred today as a Chinese native died in France.