Corona Daily 170: Tokyo 2020: Here We Go

Japan last year reluctantly postponed the Tokyo Olympics by a year. It will still be called “Tokyo 2020”. Euro 2020 will also happen this year, Dubai Expo 2020 will happen from October 21 to March 22. Rebranding expense is one consideration. If we can accept Covid-19, why not Tokyo 2020?

If the Olympic happens, the first medals will be given on 24 July. The medals this time are made from recycled cell phones. After two dazzling weeks, the event will conclude with the men’s marathon on 8 August.

Before that, the Olympic torch relay will start on 25 March. The flame will travel through 47 prefectures before reaching Tokyo for the 23 July opening ceremony. The organisers may modify routes to avoid crowds. Usually being a torchbearer is an honour, this time it’s a punishment. Torchbearers are asked to take utmost care for two weeks before, no eating out, no mixing with people, minimum exposure. Celebrities are asked not to reveal their route. Comedian Atsushi Tamura withdrew because he and other celebrities were asked to carry the torch through rice paddies to avoid spectators.

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If the Olympic happens, 11,000 athletes from 200 countries, their coaches, officials, and 25,000 journalists are expected to arrive. The number of foreign tourists will depend on the virus performance in the coming weeks.

A 32-page playbook has been issued for athletes as well as fans. Spectators can clap, but not shout or sing. Vaccines are not necessary, because fit young sportsmen shouldn’t take them at the expense of the vulnerable population. But masks, covid tests, temperature checks will be a norm. Special fever clinics and reserved hospital space will be available. Everyone should stay at least one meter away from visitors, and two meters away from an athlete.

The Olympic village, normally a great joy for the Olympians, will be different. Sportsmen and their entourage are encouraged to come to Japan not earlier than five days before their event. And leave soon after their event is over, please.

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Laws prevent the Japanese government from announcing lockdowns. The Japanese can only “encourage” people to do things. For visitors, no quarantine is required. But for 14 days from arrival, they will be encouraged not to use public transport, not visit any bar or restaurant, not go to any health club, nor visit any tourist destination. Thank you.

To reduce exposure, athletes the world over were allowed to reduce or cancel doping tests, a pre-requirement for all Olympians. For organized doping, Russia is banned for four years, and will not take part. There will be no Russian flag, no Russian anthem. However, Russian athletes who are clean will participate under the banner of ROC (Russian Olympic committee).

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In case an athlete tests positive, everyone he/she came in contact with will have to withdraw. This is a risk for team sports like water polo, field hockey, basketball and soccer. This adds a new exciting dimension, in case the Olympic happens. This month, 65 Sumo wrestlers and 51 table tennis players had to withdraw from Japan’s national championships.

The cost of delaying the Olympic was $6 billion. Cancelling would cost $42 billion and Japan’s reputation. Though 80% of the Japanese population is in favour of cancellation. Coca-Cola and Toyota, the sponsors, and Lloyd’s, Munich Re, Swiss Re, the insurers are all praying the games happen as scheduled.

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As if this was not enough, Yoshiro Mori, former president of Japan, who headed the Olympic committee, had to resign this month. He said he felt annoyed because “women talk too much”. He has been replaced by a woman.

The weather in July-August promises to be awful. It is predicted this will be the hottest and most humid Olympic on record. As luck would have it, 2020 summer was cooler because of lockdowns, but this year promises to be very hot. Outdoor athletes, where they can, have included heat training. Heat stress and heat strokes are a real risk. Organisers have rescheduled the start times for certain events and enhanced medical support.  

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Japanese government confidently says Tokyo 2020 is definitely going ahead; unless cancelled.

Ravi