tokyo 2020 olympics

Tokyo organizers, government go on the offensive over virus threat

15 Comments
By STEPHEN WADE

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15 Comments
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Just woke up to see that cases being confirmed all over the place, with Europe being hit particularly hard. Panic, confusion and fear everywhere. See what happens when you start testing? Yet the WHO still refuses to use the "P" word.

To the IOC: Just cancel already. This is beyond stupid political games now, and it's embarrassing you as an organisation.

Alternatively, Japan should prepare to hold the Olympics for just Japanese athletes, since nobody else will come. Airlines will still fly to Japan (of course). Just they'll be empty.

To the inevitable troll replies about how there are only 0.000002 cases per million (those are positives for very low number of tested cases by the way):

It doesn't matter though. It's all about perceptions now, isn't it? And the Japanese handling of this crisis has been absolutely appalling from day 1.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In all likelihood, it will have run its course everywhere by late Spring, save for China and Iran, perhaps. Like the flu virus, the coronavirus thrives in colder and drier environments.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Perhaps by May, China will have their outbreak under control, so all the Chinese tourists will be able to travel? If they cancel too early, that money is gone immediately and the cities, hotels, airlines, restaurants who have spent lots of money in preparation won't have any chance of recouping those outlays.

Of course, nobody wants anyone to die related to the Olympics. It is about the money AND it should be. The Olympics is a business.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So this Richard Pound guy was basically the one responsible for this hysteria regarding whether or not the Olympics will be canceled?

Oh wait, that’s inaccurate. It was more like the media’s hysteria and sensationalism regarding the issue that was really responsible for it. And yeah, I understand what he was saying and why he said it, so I don’t wanna beat up on this guy too much.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@rainyday OK, do you not understand the definition of the word “joke”?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

International Olympic Committee and local organizers are going as planned with the Tokyo Olympics despite the threat of the spreading coronavirus.

It's all about money and fame, not about people. We still have 3 months to go anyway for any decision.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If they are serious about doing well despite covid-19 uncertainties, I would imagine they are running out of time now or very soon.

I'm thinking all support staff must be tested and commence their quarantine NOW, commencethen be isolated in a village of their own until the games finish?

Like wise they need to start requesting partcipating nations to begin their own quarantine.

There's also suppliers, partners etc...

I truly hope this doesn't turn into another Diamond Princess.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

No doubt the games will go ahead, but I doubt if they will go ahead ‘as planned’.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

By the way, is it safe to hold the presidential caucuses ?  I heard that CDC doesn't have enough test kits at all. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz asked the Japan embassy if Japan can provide test kits to Hawaii, according to Hawaii Public Radio.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What a lame photo. Five white face masks. Who knows who is behind them? They are too afraid to even remove them for a photo? This is how they want to be remembered? Not to mention: masks are ineffective. Go wash your hands instead.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Title is misleading, the article says they will decide in May.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Pound is a former IOC vice-president and a member since 1978, and was the founding president of the World Anti-Doping Agency. - sounds very much like a dope to me

So....having an impressive and relevant resume and making fairly reasonable comments about things in your area of expertise makes someone a dope to you?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Pound is a former IOC vice-president and a member since 1978, and was the founding president of the World Anti-Doping Agency. - sounds very much like a dope to me

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

complete idiots

4 ( +10 / -6 )

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