Last year, when Japan and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) attempted to push on with the Tokyo Olympics despite Covid-19, the backlash was real.
Nations and sports bodies started boycotting the event as the Covid-19 outbreak situation worsens around the world.
Both Canada and Australia said that they would not participate if the event was not postponed.
“We are in the midst of a global health crisis that is far more significant than sport,” Canada’s Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee said.
And so, on 24 Mar 2020, it was announced that the Olympics will be postponed to July 2021.
And now, to the surprise of no one, really, the Tokyo Olympics might be cancelled due to Covid-19.
Japan Allegedly Privately Concludes That Tokyo Olympics Should Be Cancelled
On 22 Jan 2021, it was reported that Japan is giving up on the Olympics.
The source is an unnamed senior member of the ruling coalition.
It was reported that Japan’s focus now is to secure the rights to host the Olympics in the next available year, which is 2032.
Majority Does Not Want The Olympics Games Held
According to a recent opinion poll, about 80 per cent of the people did not want the Games to take place during the summer this year.
There is a fear that the influx of athletes will make the Covid-19 situation even worse. Especially with a new variant that’s even more transmissible than existing variants.
While Japan has not been hit as badly as other equally-developed countries, a recent spike in the number of cases has made Japan close its door to non-residents and declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and other major cities.
On 20 Jan alone, Japan reported 5.519 new Covid-19 cases, with a 7-day average of 6,053.
IOC Says They’re Committed To Holding The Games This Year
Previously, both Japan and the Games organisers say they’ll push forward with the event, with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga saying it’ll “bring hope and courage to the world”.
IOC President Thomas Bach had, in an interview with Kyodo News on Thursday, said they’re committed to holding the Tokyo Games this year.
“We have at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July in the Olympic stadium in Tokyo.”
Meanwhile, the Japanese government is now seeking a way to “save face” by announcing the cancellation while keeping the option to host the Games at a later date.
Previously, it was reported that Japan has already pumped in US$12 billion (S$17.5 billion) of investment, and this amount excludes the money from sponsors and broadcasters.
Featured Image: kovop58 / Shutterstock.com
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