TOKYO (AP) – With calls for cancellations on the rise, pressure is mounting on Japanese organizers and the IOC to explain exactly how they plan to hold the Tokyo Olympics amid a pandemic.
The International Olympic Committee and local organizers are expected to roll out “Playbooks” next week, which will provide step-by-step details on how athletes and thousands of others can safely enter and exit Tokyo.
Both the organizers and the IOC have been vague for months, opening the door to speculation about a cancellation or some other postponement. Some in the Japanese medical community are raising the alarm, worried that hospitals – already grappling with local patients – will be overwhelmed when the Olympics open on July 23. The Paralympic Games will follow on August 24.
There is also a skeptical Japanese audience. Recent polls show that 80% want the games to be postponed or canceled again.
Tokyo and Japan have experienced a rise in viruses in recent months, and emergency warrants have been issued for much of the country. Japan has attributed just over 5,000 deaths to COVID-19 and has kept the virus much better under control than most countries.
Q: What are the “Playbooks” and how do they work?
A: They are travel guides intended for athletes and others – sponsors, officials, media and broadcasters – to explain how to enter Japan for the Olympics. Rules may ask for self-quarantine before leaving the home country. Certainly, a negative test will be required before boarding the plane. Upon arrival in Japan, there will be more tests, transport in designated vehicles and more daily tests at the Athletes Village, which – like the locations – will be turned into a ‘bubble’. The rule books are updated three times, with new information added as organizers learn more.
Q: Why are the organizers convinced that they can hold the Olympic and Paralympic Games?
A: Craig Spence, a spokesman for the International Paralympic Committee, gives four reasons: 1) Unlike 10 months ago, scientists know a lot more about the virus; 2) sports and health officials have learned how to conduct sporting events during the pandemic; 3) vaccines are now available; 4) The Olympics and Paralympic Games don’t open for six months, time for the virus burst to ease summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
“We fully understand the pressures under the health care system,” Spence told The Associated Press. “But come summer, that shouldn’t be the case, because the number of cases should drop.
“If you’re an athlete or stakeholder, you can’t get on a plane until you’ve passed a negative test,” added Spence. “Seeing how many tests we’re going to do (on location) should reassure people.”
Question: What about fans? Will there be one? Are you from abroad?
A: Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto told a parliamentary meeting on Tuesday that the decision will be announced “by spring”. Indoor venues are likely to have fewer fans – if any – than outdoor stadiums. And it seems increasingly unlikely that fans from abroad will be able to attend. Fewer fans means more costs for Japan. The local organizing committee expected to receive $ 800 million from ticket sales. Any shortage will have to be absorbed by Japanese government agencies.
Question: What about vaccines? Will they have to enter Japan?
A: This is a sensitive area. Bach has encouraged all “participants” to get vaccinated, but says this will not be necessary. The IOC and other sports organizations are warned that young, healthy athletes should not take precedence over the vulnerable and health workers. Canada’s IOC member Dick Pound recently faced a strong backlash when he suggested that the “most realistic way to proceed” prioritize athletes. Dr. Michael Ryan, the Executive Director of the World Health Organization, has called the Olympics a ‘beautiful symbol’ but adds, ‘we have to face the reality of what we’re dealing with right now – there isn’t enough vaccine right now to serve even those who are most at risk. “
Spence, the IPC spokesman, said some teams had already been vaccinated. He did not mention them.
Q: How are the Japanese medical and scientific community responding to the prospect of the Olympics?
A: There is a lot of open skepticism. A few days ago, the president of the Japan Medical Association issued a warning when asked about the Olympics and possible patients from abroad.
“A lot of people will be from abroad, and it’s a huge number, even with just the athletes,” said Dr. Toshio Nakagawa. “In this situation, if there are coronavirus patients appearing among them while a medical system collapse is taking place and spreading, it will not be possible to accept them. … Unless a miracle happens, like the sudden rollout of vaccines, or a cure is suddenly found, we can’t accept more patients. “
With the number of new cases rising, Tokyo and other parts of Japan have been under voluntary emergency warrant since early January. It ends on February 7th.
“Right now, a situation that can be called the collapse of the medical system has occurred in several places, especially in areas where a state of emergency has been declared, and it is becoming a daily reality,” Nakagawa said. “If things continue, we may have to do triage and choose which life takes precedence over another.”
Q: The Olympics have been canceled five times – all in wartime. Why do officials persist during the pandemic?
A: The last cancellations were in 1944. That was before a lot of money was at stake. The IOC is now a commercial, prosperous sports company that relies on the sale of broadcasting rights for nearly 75% of its revenues. Another 18% comes from sponsors. The IOC has only two main products to sell: the Summer Olympics and Winter Games.
Tokyo is estimated to be worth $ 2 billion to $ 3 billion in broadcast payments to the IOC. It has a reserve fund but must have the TV money. In addition, Japan has spent at least $ 25 billion to prepare. Finally, China is holding the Beijing Winter Olympics just six months after the end of Tokyo. Japanese politicians do not want to fail and give up the stage of China.
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Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi and Yuri Kageyama contributed to this report.
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