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>> The Olympic torch relay launches the countdown to the delayed Tokyo Olympics
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Health measures are required before the Tokyo Olympics, including the passage of the Olympic flame, here in Naraha, near Fukushima, on March 25.
Photo: AFP / VNA / CVN |
The persistence of the pandemic and sudden resurgences of the coronavirus, including in Japan, are disrupting preparations for the Games and fueling uncertainty over the possibility, and the desirability, of hosting the event this summer (23 July-8 August). Test events have been postponed, the Olympic torch relay has been reduced to a minimum and new health restrictions are in place in Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
Despite this, the tone of Olympic organizers and officials remains confident, with their public statements focusing not on how the Games will be held, but on how they will unfold. They have reason to be optimistic: the Olympic torch relay started in Fukushima (northeast) last month – even though spectators were unable to attend the start and the first leg -, and vaccinations are underway in many countries, with some Olympic teams having already been vaccinated.
Japan does not require that participants in the Olympics be vaccinated, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) encourages vaccinations and has obtained doses made in China for athletes in countries without access. In Japan, sporting events continue, with a limited number of spectators, and supporters are already following the rules that will be applied to the Games this summer, including the ban on cheering.
Good and bad news
The decision of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics because of the virus has not had a snowball effect, most of the athletes seeming to be impatient to return to the international stage. “These last 14 months have been very motivating for all of us “American swimmer Katie Ledecky, five-time Olympic gold medalist, said last week. “We really want to show the world all the work we have done. “
In Japan, swimmer Rikako Ikee sparked excitement by earning a spot on the Olympic relay team, just two years after being diagnosed with leukemia. But the news is far from all positive. The resurgence of the coronavirus has thus forced the Japanese government to reimpose restrictions just three weeks after lifting the previous ones.
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A Japanese woman wearing a protective coronavirus mask walks past the Tokyo 2020 Games logo in the capital on April 13.
Photo: AFP / VNA / CVN |
In Osaka (West), the governor banned the passage of the Olympic flame on the public highway: the relay will take place in a park closed to spectators. A waterpolo test event was canceled due to restrictions at the Japanese borders. Other qualifying events have been postponed.
“Safe games”
Despite these problems, Tokyo-2020 organizers say they are confident and “able to organize safe and secure Games“. They published “manuals” listing the strict antivirus measures that will be updated this month, in the hope of allaying the fears of a Japanese public still largely opposed to these Games, already postponed for a year due to the pandemic, a first in peacetime.
Tens of thousands of athletes and other Olympic participants arriving from abroad will escape quarantine and will not be required to present proof of vaccination. But the athletes will have to limit their travel, stay in the Olympic Village only the time of their events and undergo regular screening tests.
The Games will not welcome supporters from overseas, and a decision on the number of spectators residing in Japan could be made this month. Anyway, the atmosphere will be far from the usual big festivals accompanying this planetary event. Television will be king. Polls show that most Japanese would prefer a further postponement or cancellation, but those in favor of holding them are more numerous than before, rising from 11% in January to 27% in March.
“The COVID-19 situation will naturally influence public opinion on the Games”organizers said in response to questions from AFP. Most of the Olympics face criticism before they are held, they noted, saying they expect a change in mood once the athletes take the stage. “Each time, we are inspired by their strength and resilience, and it will be truer than ever this year. “
AFP / VNA / CVN
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