Uncertainty remains over the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games that was rearranged last year by organisers due to the ongoing coronavirus, lockdowns, and impact on athlete’s preparations.
The event is expected to take place this summer at the Japan National Stadium, but fresh doubt has been cast over proceedings.
Sporting world on standby
With the sporting world on standby, including athletes, fans, broadcasters, sponsors and even top online sportsbooks, pressure is mounting on the International Olympic Committee to make a final decision.
With Tokyo 2020 the first Olympic Games to be postponed and rearranged, rather than cancelled a ruling won’t be taken lightly.
International Olympic Committee set to meet
The IOC is scheduled to meet for the first time this year when holding a video conference this week where they aim to tackle the increasing speculation and make their feelings clear on staging Tokyo 2020 from 23 July 2021 to 8 August 2021.
It’s anyone’s guess at this stage with much of the world’s media making their own predictions but there is more at stake here than first meets the eye. Suspending Tokyo 2020 was a major call by the committee and one of the biggest shocks to world sport in peacetime. It was a move designed to safeguard athletes and their teams as well as organisers and fans from the growing threat of Covid-19 that was mercilessly sweeping the globe.
Now in 2021 and much of the planet remains in lockdown with many major sports played out without fans in attendance, competitors forced to adhere to stringent coronavirus rules. Premier League football in England, for example, is into the second half of its season but international travel is discouraged unless necessary for competition, the stands are empty of supporters and players are advised to avoid contact as much as possible. These regulations are likely to extend to Olympic sports and that would make many events almost impossible.
Should international travel be encouraged?
Another major stumbling block is the ongoing Covid-19 emergency with the virus as prevalent, dangerous, and unpredictable as it was last summer. Could the Olympic Committee encourage their participants to travel to Tokyo from across the globe before mixing in accommodation and competition then returning home? That would be dangerous, not to mention highly controversial, especially with most citizens advised to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel.
Recent studies into the coronavirus pandemic show Japan has been fortunate to date, avoiding the high numbers of deaths seen in other vastly populated nations. Would the citizens of Japan and Tokyo be prepared to welcome the world with open arms, smile and put a brave face on it? Recent opinion polls state the obvious on that one with growing numbers now against the games.
We have seen several popular athletes and former Olympians throw their opinions into the mix with some high-profile names insisting Tokyo 2020 should be cancelled with sport joining other industries and helping to fight the spread.
Suga says the show must go on
Despite increasing levels of frustration, Japan’s prime minister Yoshihide Suga told the worldwide press he expects the Olympic Games to go ahead in Tokyo this year as planned and assured doubters the event will be staged in a safe and secure environment. He has labelled the event a symbol of global solidarity.
That announcement came despite Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike warning that the number of new infections would explode.
The rescheduled date won’t be the only reason Tokyo 2020 will go into the history books with the cost of the event spiralling. Experts predict the games could be the most expensive on record and that’s supported by the current figures.
Due to the rescheduled date and coronavirus safety measures required the cost of Tokyo 2020 has increased by over £2bn. That climb is showing no signs of slowing down anytime sooner.
Betting giants keeping faith
The chances of Tokyo 2020 going ahead as planned appears to be 50/50 at this stage but that hasn’t deterred bookmakers. Traders at major betting sites and apps continue to offer odds on several markets, including gold in the men’s 100 metres sprint with Christian Coleman of Team USA the early favourite.
