Tokyo to skip one-year Olympic countdown over virus

Agence France-Presse

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Tokyo to skip one-year Olympic countdown over virus

AFP

As the pandemic continues to rage around the world, organizers think any Olympic buildup remains inappropriate

 

TOKYO, Japan – Tokyo will scrap events marking a year to go until the postponed 2020 Olympic Games, organizers said Friday, June 5, citing the “current economic situation” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Games have been postponed until July 23, 2021 over the pandemic, and it remains unclear whether even that delay will be sufficient.

Last year, the city and organizers held a series of events to mark the one-year countdown, including unveiling the newly designed medals.

But given the global crisis, organizers ruled out a similar celebration.

“In view of the current economic situation, Tokyo 2020 will not be holding any events to mark the new one year to go milestone for the Games,” the organizers said.

“But we will consider what we can do to show our solidarity with the people.”

The confirmation came after reports in the Japanese media that organizers would scrap the event, fearing it was inappropriate given the global pandemic and the ongoing risk of infection inside Japan.

Kyodo News agency reported that posters and messages of encouragement to athletes might be put up and displayed online instead, adding that the organizing committee felt a more “moderate tone” was appropriate.

A nationwide state of emergency over the virus has been lifted in Japan, but a recent rise in cases in Tokyo has led to fears of a second wave.

Scaled-back Games?

The latest reports come after Tokyo’s governor confirmed the city and organizers are looking at ways to scale back next year’s Games.

Japanese media said streamlining plans could involve cutting the number of spectators and reducing participation in the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Yomiuri Shimbun daily quoted an unnamed source as saying that everyone including athletes, officials and spectators would be required to take a test for the virus.

Tokyo 2020 declined to comment on those reports, saying discussions about coronavirus countermeasures would be held “from this autumn onwards”.

Organizers and Tokyo officials face the twin headaches of ensuring the postponed Games can be held safely, given the pandemic, and keeping additional costs to a minimum.

But with the pandemic continuing to rage in much of the world, it remains unclear whether the Games can be held next year. 

IOC chief Thomas Bach said last month that 2021 was the “last option” for holding the Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever.

He declined to say whether a vaccine was a prerequisite for going ahead with the Olympics, but was lukewarm on the idea of holding them behind closed doors.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said it would be “difficult” to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics if the coronavirus pandemic is not contained.

And Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori has said the Olympics would have to be canceled if the pandemic isn’t under control by next year. – Rappler.com

 

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