tokyo 2020 olympics

VIPs allowed at Olympic opening ceremony, but no fans: report

64 Comments

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Athletes and VIP's come first. The peasants later, if at all.

36 ( +40 / -4 )

"Some people in government are concerned that the public won't accept them being given special treatment"

True. For what reason should they be allowed to attend over the public, who are the ones actually footing the bill for this event?

29 ( +33 / -4 )

Well of course the VIPs are all allowed to enjoy the opening ceremonies. Nevermind all of us peasants whose only purpose is to pay up and shut up.

29 ( +31 / -2 )

Oh dear... This isn't going to go down well with the "stop the Olympic" crowd. And quite rightly! What message are they actually sending? I'm genuinely confused. Is it dangerous to have fans? Or is it only dangerous if you are not important? Does a VIP badge grant immunity? If so where can I get one?

26 ( +32 / -6 )

surprise surprise !

21 ( +25 / -4 )

Perfect. The true representation of the games circus with only the rich and privileged able to watch the games live. Free of all covid rules and quarantine on their entry to Japan as well. Some lavish banquets after I am sure and with alcohol not banned of course.

This won’t go well with the pro Olympic crowd desperately waiting to win the ticket lottery to go to the games live. I hope they can get a full refund or in the spirit of holding the Olympics whatever, they can donate it to the IOC officials to help cover the VIP after game parties

20 ( +22 / -2 )

What can we expect as normal residents here - this is why the organizers were disparate to have 10,000 fans so that they can hide these VIPs in that crowd in TV shows - now with increasing numbers that plan has gone to toss and now they wake up to reality

Too late to worry about it now - you created this mess and own it up now like adults - if you consider yourself one

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Boku Dayo

Athletes and VIP's come first. The peasants later, if at all.

Business as usual. What else did you expect?

18 ( +20 / -2 )

Now tell me how this is going to be a wonderful Olympics? Wakarimasen.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

That’s because the VIPs are the only people in Japan who have had both jabs.

15 ( +21 / -6 )

The Japanese people have to

learn to be excluded…and like it!

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Will all the VIPs have to quarantine at the airport? So they should be arriving by this Friday if they are going to be quarantined for 2 weeks and be able to attend the opening ceremony. What? They don't have to?

14 ( +16 / -2 )

No, they won’t

Slowly the Japanese are waking up to the fact that the Olympics are not for their benefit at all.

What a most unpleasant sensation that must be

12 ( +14 / -2 )

So much for the Olympics bringing together humanity.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

I was upset at first about this whole farce, then dumbfounded, angry, then bemused! Now it’s just plain hilarious how all the wheels have fallen off months ago but those in power continue to drag this dead carcass along…and bits are falling off the carcass with weeks to go. It’s has to make you laugh the other option is just tears.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

I opt for no spectator opening, but also feel like observing who the hell those stubborn Olympic aristocrats look like.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Totally the original spirit of olympics : money, sponsors, VIP ... or not

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Wow an Olympics for the rich

7 ( +9 / -2 )

This is what you might call an enforced own goal. It will make for awful optics on TV. The opening ceremony is supposed to be one of the biggest events of an entire games, and it will happen in front of a group of people who are only there to collect as much money as possible?

For a country which is so sensitive about its image - especially from abroad - this is going to sting.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I understand it is the J tax player that will be footing the bill for the VIPs, hospitality, tickets, top class hotels, whilst being excluded.

Now that is going to down like a political lead balloon.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

@Kumagaijin

Why not have a lottery for those people that are vaccinated and would like to attend the opening ceremonies? Have them social distance and wear a mask too. Oh I get it, because some diabetic or pregnant women can't get the vaccine, it won't be fair! What a load of BS!

That would be too much logical thinking and organizers head will explore even to take this into consideration I guess (sarcasm....)

6 ( +9 / -3 )

To paraphrase John Lennon. Those up in the skyboxes, instead of applauding, can just rattle their jewelry

6 ( +8 / -2 )

VIP first? We the Japanese taxpayers are paying for this. Seriously.. WTF.

Yes, this will be removed but this is bollox!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Why not have a lottery for those people that are vaccinated and would like to attend the opening ceremonies? Have them social distance and wear a mask too. Oh I get it, because some diabetic or pregnant women can't get the vaccine, it won't be fair! What a load of BS!

3 ( +10 / -7 )

As these visitors are obviously not check properly on entering the country. I am sure the TOC said they would check everyone in to make sure Japan stayed safe.

I also doubt they will check people into the venues.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Will they wear Royal mantles and crowns?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Oh I get it, because some diabetic or pregnant women can't get the vaccine, it won't be fair! What a load of BS!

I am a type 1 diabetic and am fully vaccinated. My sister is 6 months pregnant and is also fully vaccinated. What is your point here?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Nice try, but that also doesn’t change the fact that this virus super spreading event has to be canceled immediately.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

VIPs allowed at Olympic opening ceremony, but no fans

surprising news for no one.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Good thing that the Games are going to look like exactly what they are.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

People of Japan excluded, but still required to pay for this bunfight of the vainglorious!

Any chance the Japanese tax payers will react to this and kick out their incompetent political elite? No thought not.

Much to admire in Japan, their political apathy is not one of them.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The sacrifices of the people to legitimize a continuing farce to propagate a facade. Smfh

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Fans are likely to be banned from the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony over virus fears, but a reduced number of VIPs and Olympic officials will be able to attend,

It means the fans do fear the virus, not VIPs.

How the IOC and JOC scientists came to that conclusion ?

A shame.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Get the hint, folks? VIPS, politicians and dignitaries.

The common folk? Not a chance.

Remember G Orwell-all are equal, but some more equal than others.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Not that I would go if I had the chance but JEEZ, how bad at messaging can one be?

The people who paid for these accursed games are banned but 10,000 VIPs from the ”Olympic family” (Think of the Corleone family without the class) attend.

Face-palm level bad messaging.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Better them than me.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If you really want to hurt the IOC where it counts, turn off your televisions while the games are on. Just a little bit of advice from a retired ad agency owner. It'll go all the way up the chain. Trust me.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

A super computer calculated that 10,000 fans would at worst lead to less than 10 new infections if 100 contagious people attended.

The answer wasn't 42?

Which supercomputer where they using?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The report, which cited several unnamed government sources, said organizers are working to whittle down the expected 10,000 "Olympic family" members to a level the Japanese public would find acceptable.

Unnamed government sources? That can be virtually anyone in every GOVERNMENT walk of life, including postal workers. Gee, I didn't know I was spoken for when I was so-called asked if I find this ACCEPTABLE.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let us eat cake!

i’m fine with that…

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Slowly the Japanese are waking up to the fact that the Olympics are not for their benefit at all.

It has been that way since at least the 1970s. The place hosting the Olympics doesn't make money. They lose money, even in the best years. The only outcome is a spotlight on the location by the world, which feeds into future tourism. In most places, 50% of the venues built for the Olympics get converted to something else or come under disrepair.

The local govt people get some recognition and might get a new govt job as an ambassador in the next few years. They don't get any money.

The IOC has already been paid. That's what TV and other sponsors do. They pay for all the junk, flights, hotels, "escorts" for the next Olympics to be organized.

The VIPs are each of these groups. Govt people, IOC and the sponsors who paid tens of millions of USD to be allowed to skip quarantines, stay in nice hotels, show up for the fancy parties and "finals" in the sports they like.

We peasants get to watch on paid TV and the locals get to pay more for subway rides during the Olympics.

Small businesses that upgraded everything and were ready last year have already figured those upgrades won't be paid back this summer.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I guess the WHO World Health Organization is a VIP and the Covid included will be there silently to latch on to its next victim. Spreader event!!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

TrevorPeace

If you really want to hurt the IOC where it counts, turn off your televisions while the games are on. Just a little bit of advice from a retired ad agency owner. It'll go all the way up the chain. Trust me.

There is no Big Brother watching you to see what TV channel you are tuned into or even if your TV is switched on at all ... unless you are one of the very small number who is a member of a panel which is monitored. If you are on such a panel then yes, your TV is fitted with a gadget to record what you watch, but otherwise nobody knows. And besides, the IOC have already received their payment from the TV companies, so they wouldnt care anyway.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Boku DayoJuly 6  04:09 pm JST

Athletes and VIP's come first. The peasants later, if at all.

But who's going to be at greater risk of getting infected, the muckety-mucks and athletes or the 'riff-raff' who might or might not watch it on TV?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Aren’t people attending baseball games right now?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Going to pretty hot there without fans....

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Going to be pretty hot there without fans!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The Opening Ceremony is the least important part of the Olympics. What is much more important is that spectators be allowed to watch the sporting events, as they add atmosphere and create spectacle. But an even bigger consideration is that, given that the Japanese people are paying for the Olympics, it would be unjust in the extreme if they were not allowed to actually enjoy them. The London Olympics were a great event and I would feel sad for the Japanese if they could not share that experience.

Other countries have shown that you can have large crowds: in the UK, Wembley is allowing 60,000 football fans to attend, and Wimbledon is almost at full capacity. Not only is there almost zero probability of catching Covid outdoors, but if you are worried then just wear a proper mask. It's time to let people enjoy themselves again!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

bunfight of the vainglorious!

That is some fantastic linguistic ingenuity. I would tip my hat, were I wearing one.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

"Some people in government are concerned that the public won't accept them being given special treatment," it said.

Oh, you bet. I'm one member of the angry public if this really happens. Make it fair: either no one goes, or then e.g. 2,500 VIPS and 2,500 common folk (limiting the number of spectators is more than fine and reasonable). But not so that it's all just VIPs who can enter.

I have tickets to the opening, have been really looking forward to this (especially after 2 years of being and going nowhere), and nope, can not get a full refund of the tickets, if they decide us peasants aren't allowed in.

Will only get around 2/3 of the ticket value back. Well I guess the VIPs need funding to ensure catering works without a glitch during the ceremony and after.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

LudditeToday  04:31 pm JST

That’s because the VIPs are the only people in Japan who have had both jabs.

I've had both jabs.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Get the hint, folks? VIPS, politicians and dignitaries.

The common folk? Not a chance.

Remember G Orwell-all are equal, but some more equal than others.

If we weren't in a pandemic, your comment would have relevance.

in this case, the Olympics need to have visitors limited. Some are able to visit. Who makes more sense than the representatives of the nations at an event representing all the nations? Who do you think should have been picked instead?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

jojobirdToday  06:26 pm JST

Aren’t people attending baseball games right now?

Didn't you get the memo?

Selective outrage only please.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

A super computer calculated that 10,000 fans would at worst lead to less than 10 new infections if 100 contagious people attended.

This isnt science it's politics.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

It will be regrettable if the people of Tohoku have to see Olympic opening ceremony on TV without spectators.

-16 ( +11 / -27 )

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