The Tokyo 2020 Olympics was rescheduled to summer this year, but with the global pandemic still in full effect in many places, including Japan, there has been speculation as to whether it will go ahead this summer, or even at all. However, the Japanese government as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are determined to go ahead with the Games from July 25, as they cannot afford to postpone it once more.
The games and COVID-19…
The coronavirus outbreak in 2020 caused officials to delay the Olympic games to be held in Tokyo until summer 2021. However, the situation regarding the virus globally, as well as in Japan is still dire. Albeit Japan has been handling the virus well, it is still struggling to keep the latest outbreaks under control. Citizens, athletes, and sponsors are also wary of the Games going ahead for those reasons as it is still uncertain just how the Games can be held with guaranteed safety for all athletes and spectators alike.
A recent survey taken by Kyodo News Agency found that 80 percent of people were opposed to the Games going ahead this summer due to concerns over the coronavirus. Between January and early February, 11 out of 47 prefectures in Japan were declared to be in a state of emergency. Koichi Nakano, a professor at Sophia University in Tokyo understands why many people disagreed with the go-ahead for the Games this summer,
“The Japanese Public is already more and more inclined to oppose the hosting of the Olympics this summer, and the state of emergency reinforces the perception of this lost cause.”
What actions will be taken to ensure the Games go ahead…?
Vaccinations of Japan’s population of 120+ million people began last month with 10,000 frontline workers. However, it is unlikely that vaccinations for all citizens will be done before the Games are set to begin in July. As the daily infection rate in Japan is currently around 1,000 new cases per day, vaccinating as many people as possible is crucial to ensure the safety of athletes as well as spectators. It is yet to be known whether spectators from overseas will be allowed to enter Japan for the Games.
It was recently announced that a decision will be made by the end of March as to whether spectators from abroad will be able to attend the Games in Tokyo this summer. However, due to much of the public as well as several sponsors still seemingly opposed to the idea, it is unlikely that just anyone and everyone will be allowed entry as coronavirus outbreaks, as well as new dangerous coronavirus variants, are emerging all over the world.
The financial stakes are high and the IOC, Games planners, and the Japanese government are serious about proceeding with the Games this summer. Thomas Bach, the head of the IOC stated that “We are not speculating whether the Games will take place, we are working on how the games will take place.” It has been revealed that the IOC has created “playbooks” that will give details on how the Games will be conducted safely and how the safety of the athletes will be ensured, as athletes begin to enter Japan from this month onwards.
Ex-Olympian Seiko Hashimoto to take charge over the Tokyo Olympics…
Seiko Hashimoto takes over from ex-chief Yoshiro Mori after sexist remarks were made by Mori towards women on the Japanese Olympic Committee, stating that they ‘talk too much’. Other questionable statements about women were made by Mori, and this sparked a conversation in not just Japan, but also worldwide. Due to protesters speaking out against Mori, he decided to resign after initially refusing to do so.
Seiko Hashimoto participated in the winter Olympics 4 times, she also participated in the Summer Olympics a total of 3 times for Speed Skating and Cycling.
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