politics

Biden says decision on Tokyo Olympics has to be based on science

96 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2021.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

96 Comments
Login to comment

Japan does not make decisions based on science, only on how to save face!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Tokyo Olympics were decided on before COVID, but it was never about science.

Rather, it was about:

"If we spend $15B on all this crap, then the rest of the world will notice Japan for 2 weeks and see our very famous sushi and cherry blossoms and unique Japanese culture! Then the whole world will be thinking about Japan at the same time- totally worth the billions. And when the Games are over, we can have the UN designate the stadiums as World Heritage Sites and the whole world will take pause to pay attention to Japan... AGAIN!!!"

Japan has a lot of problems that will come crashing down rather quickly over the next 20 years. Distracting their population by blowing smoke up their butts (using their own, borrowed money) likely won't help.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If this Olympics happen it will be remembered as a total bust. Japan will lose face over this and go broke. They have a way out cancel or be laught at.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Traditional type of Olympics in a ‘me first’world, how will it work out in East Asia with the next ones just 12 months ahead, and boycott on the horizon for different reasons.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Zoom Olympics?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Common sense is a funny thing. When it is based on science, it is very useful. When it is based on superstition, not so much so. There was a time when common sense said that the Earth is flat. Some Q followers over here still insist that that is the case. It is amazing how gullible some people can be.

IMO, there are risks in holding a traditional type of Olympics, so, many changes need to be considered. Certainly vaccinations are a good idea, where they are available. Having only a small percentage of spectators seems to make sense, given what we now know about the transmissivity of this virus. It would be good for everyone's morale to see a successful Olympics, but careful consultation and thought need to go into the preparations for holding them, and time is running out. I would like to watch them, but without watching a super-spreader event.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

well, the recent toyota's superbowl commercial changed my mind in the favor of the games. well, you people did hear it right? if not Tokyo, Florida's gonna host them. Games are going to get cancelled. so, pick where you want them to be conducted.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Wow, Now that is a TRUE Non Olympic Spirit, driven by GREED.

How so? The spirit of the Olympics is the athletic competition, not the crowds or anything else that is now associated with an Olympics event.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

""The Games are set to start in under six months, and the Japanese government and International Olympic Committee (IOC) are vowing to hold them as planned, although under strict conditions that could include staging them without spectators.""

Wow, Now that is a TRUE Non Olympic Spirit, driven by GREED.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Maybe a boon for your business if you have a hotel or taxi company because the citizens fund it."

Yes, for the Olympics many of the profits are profitised (by Dentsu, hotels, etc.) and the costs socialised (sent to the taxpayers).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Time will tell.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Biden may be alluding to what the scientific community has been intensely and primarily focused on all this time, vaccines.

Many countries have already started vaccinations and now it seems Japan will be able to do so also on schedule.

If these countries were able to vaccinate a good part of their populations do you think they would hesitate to come to the games?

Look at Australia for example. At present they are hosting a major sports event, seemingly in direct contravention of their strict anticovid measures.

Is there a doubt they will go to the olympics if it pushes thru?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hard to argue with the idea that decision-making should be based on facts and logic. Unless one's name is D J Trump, in which case "science" should be used to confirm your idiocy.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The Olympics. Examine previous Games. There is no profit in holding the games. It saddles the hosting venue with enormous debt.

https://wayback.archive-it.org/org-467/20200810190706/http://eureka.sbs.ox.ac.uk/4943/1/SSRN-id2382612_%282%29.pdf

Economists say the games’ so-called implicit costs must also be considered. These include the opportunity costs of public spending that could have been spent on other priorities. Servicing the debt that is left over after hosting the games can burden public budgets for decades. It took Montreal until 2006 to pay off the last of its debt from the 1976 Games, while Greece’s billions in Olympics debt helped bankrupt the country.

Beijing’s 2008 Summer Olympics generated $3.6 billion in revenue, compared with over $40 billion in costs, and London’s Summer Games in 2012 generated $5.2 billion compared with $18 billion in costs. What’s more, much of the revenue doesn’t go to the host—the IOC keeps more than half of all television revenue, typically the single largest chunk of money generated by the games.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Here an up vote, Vinke,

Down votes are neither negative or personal. It signifies contributors have taken the time to read you comment log in and vote.

Anyway, the Olympic Games in its current format, must face the prospect of change or extinction.

$15 billion, the projected final bill could reach $22 billion.

This pandemic has in effect forced the IOC to face some home truths.

Reform and restructure into a single agreed location, so leveraging efficiency and financial sustainably i.e. maximizing more output from the same resources.

Or face a future that will guarantee an untimely demise.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

As long We we get to pay the scientists.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Ahem, instead of merely downvoting, could you down voters also address some of the questions I posed?

How would you feel if you've worked towards a goal for several years, and for all that effort, all those sleep deprived days, months and years, to be drawn down the drain?

How can people justify other sports competitions (e.g. Premier League, NHL...) happening around the globe as we speak, but then be against the Olympics at the same time? Makes no sense.

There are hundreds if not thousands of people working in tech, media, infra, hospitality, construction, translation etc. for the games. You're all seriously so black/white and say their job has no value?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

 BUT if Japan wants an event with Asia, Africa and Latin America only, go for it."

That is 99% of the Earth

No its not. LOL!!!!!!!

"Like I said, I doubt the 5 eyes or many EU countries will show up."

and if Japan, Africa, Asia and Latin America dont show up for Paris 2024 or LA 2028????

The pandemic should be finished by then. If its not then don't GO !

think

take your own advice

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I do hope the games get underway and go ahead, so long as there is strong C19 testing before, and during the games on each athlete, preferably they must have the vaccine injection, I would only allow spectators to come, only if they have had, at least 1 of the 2 part injections and if they have had both injections that is ok. and this must be backed up by a letter or some sort of proof that they have had the injections.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The by then should be fully vaccinated countries not wanting to participate?

Is that logical?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Yeah right, and if Biden decides that it isnt safe enough for the athletes to attend, then what will Japan do?

Which athletes ? He can only decide for the american athletes..i.e the american left aligned athletes, Suga should make the final call on this, the sooner the better.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

" BUT if Japan wants an event with Asia, Africa and Latin America only, go for it."

That is 99% of the Earth

"Like I said, I doubt the 5 eyes or many EU countries will show up."

and if Japan, Africa, Asia and Latin America dont show up for Paris  2024 or LA 2028????

A whites only Games??

think

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

and watch China send a team and watch Africa, Latin America, Asia also send teams. Ant then watch Biden back track.

He won't. remember last year when Canada backtracked? THAT caused the delay of the olympics last year. BUT if Japan wants an event with Asia, Africa and Latin America only, go for it. Only Japan will cancel it.

Like I said, I doubt the 5 eyes or many EU countries will show up. Its going to be cancelled

That wouldn't be up to Biden. The individual sports associations and the American IOC

I think if he recommended against it with Dr Fauci by his side it would be cancelled pretty quick

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is very tragic for Japan but science wins. Face reality as it is and see things what they are. Expecting for a herd immunity by June is beyond impossible.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"All Biden has to do is to announce that the US will not participate. Watch the rest of the world follow suit"

and watch China send a team and watch Africa, Latin America, Asia also send teams. Ant then watch Biden back track.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

All Biden has to do is to announce that the US will not participate. Watch the rest of the world follow suit the same way that Canada showed great leadership last time. Although Canada might do the same thing again. And I really don't see OZ and NZ risking it with Covid well under control. That might go as well for SK, Norway, and other countries that have their poop together.

And as for countries fighting very hard to contain their strains like the UK, I really doubt they'll come. Unless of course the situation changes drastically in 6 months which I doubt

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I suspect a large part of Biden’s stance is to make an “anti-Trump” statement. A giveaway was his:

We are a science-driven administration, I think the rest of the world's there too.

As someone else pointed out, if these matters were really science based then the Super Bowl wouldn’t have been held, for instance.

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

zichi

I guess we foreigners in our own cultures, are more accustomed to speaking up or giving our opinions than many Japanese do. So much investments in the games, not only money but many aspects of the life here. I think other countries would accept it, if they were cancelled because of the pandemic.

Sad for all the thousands of athletes who have trained for many years.

Sad also for all the thousands of people who have been (and currently are) working 10-14h days, for many years, to make the games happen. People please, don't forget the gigantic amount of work that is done behind the scenes, so to say, and the normal, common people, who get their wages from the games. How would you feel if you've worked towards a goal for several years, and for all that effort, all those sleep deprived days, months and years, to be drawn down the drain?

And yes - I also support postponing the games further more, that would be the sensible thing to do, and something I'm sure is only a matter of arrangements and new contracts (I'm sure it's also about the stubborness of the IOC and J-gov. , as they say it's for some reason "impossible", but I haven't seen any factual explanations to why it would be "impossible"?).

For the sake of the athletes and the people working endlessly for the games though, I'm strongly against cancelling them. Safety is definitely, and without a doubt a priority, but with sensible measures, I'm sure it can be achieved.

How can people justify other sports competitions (e.g. Premier League, NHL...) happening around the globe as we speak, but then be against the Olympics at the same time? Makes no sense.

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

Biden is trying to be discreet and polite but he wants to send a message to use logic instead of blind stubborn pride for such a big event where thousand of people gather together.

Maybe some people at the helm forgot that we are still in the very middle of a world pandemic and the vaccine didn't even start in Japan.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Again, some people here are calling for the cancellation of the Olympics and I wonder how many of you have ever been to an Olympics or better yet a regional type of championships? I am going to speculate and say that none of you because if you were you wouldn't be calling for the cancellation of the Olympics.

Actually, when I was a kid, I went to the final round of the baseball tournament at the LA 84 Olympic games. There were no problems with the games. However, I remembered that the mayor (Richard Riordan, at that time) thought about the community and security of the games. It was a different time. My point is that Riordan gave consideration to the community and the athletes above profit and pride, and less consideration to self-interest.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

What does it mean to be based on science?

Even America'd disastrous handling of the pandemic is based on science right?

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

What about those who lost their lives.....

what about all those who lost their careers because of Covid?

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

The only thing I do agree with is that the U.S. team is important to the success of Olympics economically. If Biden bans the team from attending, you can also bet on the U.S. sponsors and networks pulling their support which is way way more money than what they get from audience members for tickets, food, shopping, transportation and accommodation.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

What science? All the science is a gray area. There are no absolute black and white facts on how COVID19 is transmitted. I'm in the US and all the shutdowns and COVID19 regulations are very contradictory and do not make sense.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The thing is, the rest of us also know the risk and most of us are not prepared to accept the risk. We can live without the Olympics.

Exactly my point you don't have to go to the Olympics to watch any of the sports. I deduct by many of the responses, many people were not going to go and watch the sports either so those people that are/were not planning on going to see or watch the Olympics and should be fine.

Besides it is the resposability of each individual to protect him/herself, and not ofeverybody else to protect you. People want to protect themselves they could wear masks and stay home that would actually solve the problem... It will solve the problem right now but that science is flaw because the virus is Airborne like other viruses such influenza. You can go underground for a little while and when you come back up, the virus will be right there waiting for you to do what it does best... However the body will build immunity at one point or another and that will be the natural course of nature.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

If it's based on science, Japan is toast. They're still trying to pray the virus away and busy fudging the numbers and hoping a domestic company can come up with a viable vaccine, to be implemented dead last in the world.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

I think the "trust in science" rhetoric is effectively a polite way to say, "the United States isn't run by a dictatorial moron anymore. We will aim to make informed choices with the best possible outcomes."

Beyond that I'm not really sure we can read further into his statement.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

What on Earth is based on science? Nothing. What counts only are money, power, influence, reputation, religion, ideology and all such. Nobody gives a dime on science and never ever has given. That’s why it is so everywhere as it is everywhere.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Athletes know the risk that they will take if they decide to participate in the Olympics.

Well good for them, sacrificing all for their sport. Whoopee.

The thing is, the rest of us also know the risk and most of us are not prepared to accept the risk. We can live without the Olympics.

The athletes can take whatever risks they like with their own lives, the problem is when they want to gather in their thousands from all over the world including places with high infection rates, bringing more thousands of trainers, staff, family members, fans, spectators and whathaveyou to what promises to be the Super Spreader Event of the Century. Some percentage of all those visitors are going to come in with a false negative test, and spread the virus around once they get here. Others who came in clean are going to pick up the virus and take it home to people who knew the risk and decided because of it not to attend the Olympics.

It's a risk some 80% of the Japanese public are not willing to take.

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

what about all those who lost their careers because of Covid?

Exactly. Why are athletes more important than everyone else who has suffered because of Covid? They are not.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Sometimes common sense is more important than science.

huh!? following the science is common sense, following some vision of recalcitrant pride or alternative facts isnt going to stop this pandemic

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Biden is right, he’s dropping Japan huge hints that the Games shouldn’t go ahead but they and the IOC will just ignore them.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The decision has to be based on what Japan thinks as they are running it. Concentrate on America Joe, it’s in far worse condition than Japan.]

actually no its based on the science, does Japan really want thousands of athletes and officials attending from countries like US, India, Peru, UK France Germany etc all countries with high infection rates!?

basically turning Japan into the ultimate super spreader event, and all the covid19 variants coming with them. well see once some of the big teams start pulling out whether the Olympics will still be legitimate

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

When Biden said he felt for the athletes if the Olympics were to be cancelled, he was just expressing what most of the rest of us feel. As far as going with the science is concerned, in Melbourne we seem so far to have shown that careful control of accommodation for the players, periods of isolation before the start, and very well controlled crowd numbers and distribution in the stands, all can allow the tournament to proceed safely.

If Japan can manage these factors in all the venues, in theory the Olympics could go ahead too, but the management here would be a much larger task. As for Biden's championing the sex-change athletes' cause, and this invariably means men to women, I'm being charitable in thinking he might have been influenced by his own relatively deprived upbringing, but he was totally wrong to do that, as the unfairness is manifest when, for exame, Caster Semenya runs. But the real women do have a dramatic way of protesting if they can agree on it in any one race: when the gun goes, sit down!
-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Again, some people here are calling for the cancellation of the Olympics and I wonder how many of you have ever been to an Olympics or better yet a regional type of championships? I am going to speculate and say that none of you because if you were you wouldn't be calling for the cancellation of the Olympics. Athletes know the risk that they will take if they decide to participate in the Olympics. The Olympics come once every 4 years and sometimes a lot of these athletes only have one Olympic cycle because Father Time waits for no one. Based upon what I read in this forum some of you would cancel life itself if it were up to you. Life is full of risk and we take them every day.

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

"Based on science" is a bit of a red herring. The decision, as with all similar decisions around the world, will inevitably be a balancing of factors (health risks, economy, politics, PR considerations, external pressures etc) with unavoidable trade-offs. The "science" is just one of them, even when the scientists agree. That is as it should be.

Having said that, as much as I'd love to have a TV Olympic summer, it seems to me that the most sensible balancing of all these factors is probably Tokyo 2032.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

So science says it is a human crime. But money says who cares, we have investments. Which side is right?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Sometimes common sense is more important than science.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Yeah, the government is working very hard producing useless Excel sheets, faxing them, faxing them again, making reports on them and just basically create more useless work in order to look busy and doing something.

Spot on. At this point, there's really nothing anyone can do but wait. If you look busy right now, then you're obviously just pretending.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Unless Japan starts manufacturing AstraZeneca's vaccine right now way before its approval, we won't have enough vaccine before July. I wonder who has that kind of "political will".

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Biden is talking to stubborn do it my way Japan.

It's all about the money and businesses, not science. ha

16 ( +18 / -2 )

These people need to just give up on this Olympics thingy.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Biden is giving Japan a way out, but Japan is too stubborn to realize it. When Science comes to play though the games in all probablilty simply cannot occur.

I would think so (on both parts). I would sense that Biden wants to clean Trump's mess and address the COVID issue (along with other issues in the US) before considering sending the US athletes.

My first thought when Biden brought up "science," I though "political science." Even if the Olympics were to happen, it will not be much of a profit; just more hands in the Japanese tax paying money pot.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Well, the USA is an allie so Biden is giving his 2 cents worth. Here is my view on Japan and the Olympics. They have spent a lot of time and money. If they dont hold the Olympics this year when will Japan get to hold them? I think the last time was in 1964. It would be a huge loss for them. I dont think there is time for enough people to be vaccinated for the Olypics to be held. It is painfull but just collect the insurance money and try to get over it.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The atheles can wait and live for another day. There's no point in putting people at risk. The upcoming results of the super spreader super bowl will only underscore this

9 ( +16 / -7 )

The IOC will make a decision based on science. Political science.

24 ( +25 / -1 )

I agree that such decisions should be based on scientific considerations (Incontrovertible facts).

But President Biden should be consistent. He should have applied the same reasoning before signing an executive order to allow biological boys who believe they are girls to compete against actual girls and completely dominate them.

10 ( +19 / -9 )

I've spoken with the prime minister of Japan, he's working very hard to be in a position to safely open the Games, to have the Games, and I think that has to be based on science, whether or not it is safe for that to occur

Yeah, the government is working very hard producing useless Excel sheets, faxing them, faxing them again, making reports on them and just basically create more useless work in order to look busy and doing something.

At this moment, the Games feel more like a russian roulette.

Joe doesn't know one thing - Japanese politicians will do anything in order not to lose face.

"Imagine all those Olympians who work for four years, four years for one shot and all of a sudden that opportunity gets lost," he said.

In other words, at all costs

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Thanks for the info guys!!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Imagine all those Olympians who work for four years, four years for one shot and all of a sudden that opportunity gets lost," he said.

Sure, but even sadder would be to suffer the potential career-ending long term effects of COVID..

9 ( +11 / -2 )

CDC in the states(which is science) says it’s ok to open the schools. But teachers union gives China joe a lot of money and now goes against his BS slogan “wait on science.” I wouldn’t hold your breath for him to renig on this statement. He’s not in charge.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

The so-called convention of “follow the science” benchmark criteria, is a fallacious incapacity to comprehended rational or reality, belief and desire.

Many of the so-called scientists are unable to agree.

Elite sport has no interest in the science, Super Bowl LV should have been cancelled, however with an attendance of over 24,000, the science was always going to play second fiddle.

In all seriousness to even suggest that social distancing, would be strictly adhered to, or that travelling to the event could be risk managed is fanciful.

I really find this follow the science rhetoric is purely for the purpose of political posturing.

Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have rocketed to over $15 billion and climbing.

Follow that number and add in the political costs, and fall out.

Don’t need to follow the science, just plain common sense, to hold a festival of sport in a city as densely populated as Tokyo, vaccine or no vaccine, is foolhardy and irresponsible.

However, Government of Japan or IOC, wont back down, neither want to be saddled with the bill

1 ( +8 / -7 )

@kurisupisu

Which home center -please share!

Saw PCR test kits at Costco. A bit over ¥7,000, I think.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Biden and science; an oxymoron if there were ever a better example. Some of the people in this forum are hilarious because they have solutions for every single problem happening in Japan. What are the number of deaths in Japan from covid-19? What are the number of covid-19 infections in Japan? What are the numbers of people who have recuperated from covid-19 in Japan? What are the number of people who have committed suicide in Japan this year and the previous years? What are the number of vehicle fatalities in previous years? What are the numbers of death from various types of cancer in previous years? People will always die; however, the answer to this riddle it's in the data... Maybe some of the people in this forum should do a little bit more research using medical journal publications from other countries other than the US or stop reading the New York times and perhaps we will have a little bit more of an objective perspective rather than a political one.

-12 ( +10 / -22 )

I am a Japanese. Every time, I see this forum, I feel foreigners have strong opinions either pro or con on any issue. Japanese are 80% against or suspicious about holding the Olympics. But, they do not stand up. I do not see any demonstration around the diet. Opposition political parities who usually attack the government aggressively are quiet on this matter. Why?

21 ( +22 / -1 )

Biden is giving Japan a way out, but Japan is too stubborn to realize it. 

Yes, shielding certain people from blame will be a factor in whether the Olympics can be postponed or cancelled. Some of it is pride and paranoia, but Japan is a country where some people love to point the finger. Nurses get blamed for being in potential contact with Covid-19 patients, etc. etc. The road to cancellation will probably need some kind of face-saving setup.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Unfortunately the motto of this Olympics is, "United by Emotion" not science. To be honest I think it's a lame motto, but then, this is Japan. Should be a great Olympics if the contingents from Africa or Jamaica don't show up because of Covid concerns and restrictions. Track and Field without the premier teams: lame.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I think we can all agree that the common citizen will not profit from the Olympics. However, the Big Insurance Companies and Hotel Chains and Other Fat Cats want the Olympics to move forward.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Not only about Olympics,

Japanese authorities has prioritized politics and business than science also on Covid-19 measure.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I think it might take some effort/input from the athletes themselves to get these games cancelled/postponed like what happened last year with Australian athletes and a couple other countries.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Why can't we have the Olympics, limiting the number of fans sounds ok to me or even no fans. Super Bowl just happened, NBA had a short season, European soccer been going on for months, Australian Open just started this week. Japan can make it work. Sure there is risk but have procedures in place and be super strict about it and overall should be ok. I would love to watch from the comfort of my house.

-20 ( +5 / -25 )

frankly I don't give a rat's behind about the olympics but if you can have soccer, football and basketball going on all over the world you can have the olympics too. Getting the olympics is a nightmare for any country I do not see why they grovel and beg for them. Maybe a boon for your business if you have a hotel or taxi company because the citizens fund it

6 ( +12 / -6 )

If it was cancelled, that would be the biggest joke ever, all that money spent, and for nothing. That's why they can't back out of it or keep putting it off.

I realise it's stupid to have a big sporting event though, will be very interesting to see what they do.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Nah. The decision has to be based on what Japan thinks as they are running it. Concentrate on America Joe, it’s in far worse condition than Japan.

Yeah right, and if Biden decides that it isnt safe enough for the athletes to attend, then what will Japan do?

Right, hold an Olympics that only has Japanese athletes, that would go over real well here, NOT!

Ultimately it WILL be the athletes who make the decision to participate or not, and if potential medalists and top athletes start pulling out, see what happens then!

19 ( +22 / -3 )

I wonder if Japan thinks: Ahhhhh! Yes Biden. The Science of Money!

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Which home center -please share!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

He says, science. Japan says, economics and pride.

36 ( +39 / -3 )

Scientifically, it is clear that the Olympics should be cancelled.

34 ( +37 / -3 )

There are how many people walking around in Japan with the virus?

Unless one has symptoms then the chance of using the health system is zero.

Well, local to me in Kansai, the cost of the test is around 30000 yen plus.

Biden is for a scientific approach but when the Japanese government actively seeks to make testing expensive then the virus Is free to proliferate...

19 ( +24 / -5 )

"They are the people that I feel such pain for - but we have to do it based on the science," he added. "We are a science-driven administration, I think the rest of the world's there too. I hope we can play, I hope it's possible, but it remains to be seen."

For Suga, there are considerations more important than science or the welfare of the people. Mr. Biden, have you heard of Dentsu?

33 ( +36 / -3 )

You do not have to be a rocket scientist to realise that the games run a high risk of being a super spreader.

Sinse Japan has put a disclaimer on the games by attending (anticipating) at your own risk, each athlete must individually weigh up the science.

32 ( +35 / -3 )

Biden says decision on Tokyo Olympics has to be based on science

Here science based on fact

The director of the Tokyo Medical Association, which represents 20,000 doctors, said doctors and nurses were under too much strain dealing with a third wave of the pandemic.

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/lack-of-medical-volunteers-a-further-setback

36 ( +40 / -4 )

it wasn’t very scientific for Japan to host it in the first place given the ongoing situation in Fukushima

29 ( +43 / -14 )

"Imagine all those Olympians who work for four years, four years for one shot and all of a sudden that opportunity gets lost," he said.

what about all those who lost their careers because of Covid?

54 ( +59 / -5 )

Biden is giving Japan a way out, but Japan is too stubborn to realize it. When Science comes to play though the games in all probablilty simply cannot occur.

54 ( +63 / -9 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites