The Summer Olympic Games of 2020 have officially been postponed.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continuously shifts global uncertainty the 32nd Olympiad that was to take place in Tokyo over July/August is now forecast for 2021. In a video posted on the game’s official website on Wednesday, the IOC President Thomas Bach spoke of the “devastating” impact COVID-19 was having on livelihoods around the world. Although a difficult decision, both Mr Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed that the “complexity of the event” and its underlying message of bringing together humanity was not worth risking its integrity through the compromise of people’s health and wellbeing. This marks an end of a period of limbo in which 11,000 athletes from 206 international Olympic committees, stakeholders and attendees had initially thought they had to wait on a decision in May on whether or not the games would proceed. The announcement marks the first time that a modern Olympics event has been postponed since the years of World War – 1916, 1940 and 1944 – when plans were scrapped. Observers are now left to think about the consequences COVID-19 has had around the world and its legacy of global disruption but also reminds us of the need for pragmatism.
Late last year in the district of Asakusa, locals and visitors crammed into its streets as they basked in the old-world vibe of Tokyo. For tourists, the district was a checklist of travelling delights in the form of Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, kimono shops, street food stalls and cultural mementos in the form of key chains, postcards and hair pins. These scenes were undoubtedly going to be replicated from July with the prediction that the Olympic games was going to draw over 600,000 tourists. Indeed, the government had invested significantly in the city’s infrastructure and maintenance. Narita airport was in the midst of refurbishment, train stations were being upgrading and streets were cleaned vigorously while the Japanese exhibited their world-renowned hospitality. Overlooking these sights of preparation were giant billboards adorned with the Olympic symbol with the statement “Tokyo 2020”. The city was ready to shine on the global stage for a second time since they last hosted back in 1964. No expense was spared and according to Bloomberg, preparation for this year’s games came at a cost of $26 billion.
In the aftermath of the game’s postponement, huge sums are expected to be lost by sponsors and broadcasters while Japan itself is estimated to lose between $4.5-5.8 billion in inbound and domestic consumption. However, national opinion of the event’s postponement showed a preconceived acceptance of the outcome. The Guardian published a Kyodo news poll taken last week which showed that almost 70% of respondents didn’t expect the games to go ahead. As the global rate of confirmed cases reaches nearly half a million, an act of humanity has been demonstrated through pragmatism. News of the postponement was welcomed by the Australian Olympic committee who expressed relief at the joint IOC and Japanese government decision. According ABC news, AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll called the decision a moment of clarity for athletes following a period of uncertainty and that they had already been advised to plan for the games to be held next year. As the suspension of this event marks another chapter in the impact of COVID-19, it proved a necessary decision to reflect the possible contingency if the crisis were to expand.
While Prime Minister Abe had previously expressed optimism of the games proceeding in “complete form”, local media, such as the Japan Times, are now reporting that he has reconsidered this view due to the current global situation and the prospect of a major event to occur in unsuitable conditions. This comes at a time when the government implements more stringent protocols to protect domestic health and well-being. The Japan Times reports that from this week all travellers from the United States are to immediately quarantine themselves in their homes or hotel rooms and avoid all public transportation for a period of 14 days. Similar measures are expected for travellers arriving from China, South Korea, Iran, Egypt and most of Europe. As of Sunday, Japan confirmed 1,084 cases of COVID-19 and 41 deaths but appears to be experiencing a relief with declining new cases. While this period of respite proves comforting at present, the government has taken the initiative to prevent the possibility of a second outbreak that experts contend will come from mass gatherings of international visitors that were to arrive in July.
As of March 26th, confirmed cases of COVID19 are at 441,800 with more than 20,400 deaths globally. While we must now wait another year for the games to proceed, the flame from the Olympic torch will remain lit in what the IOC says will symbolize a beacon of hope, a reminder of global solidarity in the fight against the pandemic. While the world has been deprived of the opportunity to congregate under the flame, it should not dim the spirit the torch has carried around the globe.
