tokyo 2020 olympics

As pandemic Olympics come to a close, Japan asks: What did Games mean?

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The Olympics are gone. Only the hangover remains. And a pandemic out of control.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Increased performance enhancing drug usage due to decreased testing caused by covid

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Err... "Japan asks"? Can we see this interview with "Japan"? Or listen to the daily questions of "Japan"?

Who is "we"? The human race as a whole? Are you asking if everyone in the entire world can see an interview? Did you not know that some people in the world can't "see" anything, because they are blind? And that many in the world can't "listen" to any questions, because they are deaf?

Or are you being needlessly and pointlessly contrarian?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan asks: What did Games mean?

Err... "Japan asks"? Can we see this interview with "Japan"? Or listen to the daily questions of "Japan"?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The idea to be nominated for Olympics was good but no one could tell the future.

Then came the COVID-19 virus and things fell apart, not just for the Olympics but I can say first hand for my personal relationships as I could no longer get to see and meet the person I loved. Others may have also felt the same thing and I hope one day, things would be better.

Love and Peace.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Under normal circumstances, I think the Olympics are a good thing. The spirit of sportsmanship and competition is important. However, this year was not a year for the games. Period. And I agree with oldman’s idea of having a single, neutral Olympics area. All countries who participate could fund the upkeep and operation, so no one country gets saddled with huge debts and unusable venues

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A strong distrust toward the Japanese government, the IOC, the Olympics, the media (especially major news papers all of whom shamelessly chose to become Olympic sponsors.), athletes, and sports world as a whole. We should not blame athletes? I don't think so. They are also the ones who put their own personal interest before everyday people's life and well-being. I don't and will never get 'energy' or 'courage' or 'inspiration' from these people. LOL

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I agree - I do not like sports to be politicized. Instances when it did.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One thing the Olympics did not mean - contrary to the incessant doom-and-fear-mongering from all the old women here - was an increase in Covid deaths. Covid is under control. That doesn't mean it no longer exists, but it is not a problem, when viewed in perspective. Vaccinations, as well as improved treatments, mean it is no longer something that should frighten us. So stop worrying and get out there and enjoy life.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

One way to look at the games is the greed of the IOC. Yes, I do think the IOC, governments around the world, media outlets who get a ton of money through showing these games, sponsors who hawk their products and wares by aligning themselves with these games, etc. are abusing their power over these games to get as much money as they can from it. It's terrible that rich companies and governments can take advantage of poor countries in this way.

Another way to look at it is the various individual stories of triumph of athletes who must sacrifice four years (and even more) to train for their dreams and thus inspire future Olympians to live out theirs. Or the thousands of volunteers who helped out and built bridges of communication between cultures and showed that kindness and love can really help to keep societies together. In a world of grief, pain and sorrow, I don't see any way that these acts of kindness (e.g. fallen athletes helping each other, athletes sharing a gold medal rather than compete in a playoff, or fierce competitors hugging each other after a hard-fought match, happy competitors in sports like karate, surfing and skateboarding finally see their sport be ) can be negative.

In the end, holding these games in the face of adversity and hardship was a good way to say the virus may knock us down, but it won't knock us out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

From the comfort of my living room, I would say that the Games were a success. Thank you, Tokyo!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Many good comments here. @ Hideomi Kuze is spot on

all governments lie. J gov do not care about their people at all

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@RAF "a superhot watched event"...you're referring to the weather, right?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yay, Olympics :) Thank goodness it's over and today is a holiday. As for tomorrow...back to sardine-packed trains and COVID.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No meaning, just capitalism.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Will be remembered as the Loneliest Olympics - all those amazing feats, not many witnesses to celebrate them with

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I enjoyed it especially the Irish Rowers who won Gold and Irish Boxer Kelly Harrington who won Gold also, although I note that Kelly, the 2018 World Champ was not mentioned even once on this site, even her Gold yesterday - still has not been mentioned. Not surprised as some people don't like Ireland on this site.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Forget it fast and care about the real current issues. Doing now also the aftermath of those ’games’ will only cost even more nerves and money.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Team U.S.A. now dominates ALL medal rankings !!

What is this obsession about total numbers?

I don't know about you, but I'm willing to bet any other country would be willing to trade 11 bronze medals for 10 gold medals.

But USA did dominate in silver medals. Well done.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It means that ordinary people are only relevant by how much they can contribute to the blood sucking Japanese government.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It means no further consumption tax increases !! - (yeah, right !?!)

Let’s ALL remember AbenoMario & SugaLuigi’s joint promises Sept 11, 2020:

- a hike beyond Japan’s 10% consumption tax "will not be necessary for the next 10 years or so." - Sep 11, 2020

When did Japan increase the consumption tax? Just after the winning bid for the Olympics in 2013.

Abe raised the then 5% consumption tax rate to 8% in April 2014,

and then again to 10% in October 2019.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Especially, this Olympics is full of lies and deception from the beginning and until now such as previous PM Abe's "under control" speech or "warm and ideal climate" or "inexpensive and compact Olympics" or recent "safe and secure".

Japan's Suga government and Olympics authorities deny relation present pandemic and games but Olympics had deprived several thousands medical workers from Japanese society, clearly caused present difficult situation that over 20 thousands patients at only Tokyo cannot even hospitalize and are forced to stay at home without medical assistance.

Japanese authorities had already confirmed lambda variant in Japan before opening of Olympics.

But they concealed it until several days before.

Theme of this Olympics was "diversity and harmony" but dissents against Olympics are ignored on domestic mainstream media at least, people who opposite Olympics or who don't cheer Olympians had been slandered as "unpatriotic" "anti-Japan" on the pretext of "harmony".

This Olympics was also symbol of division.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

112 USA

88 CHN

70 NE-Europe/N.Asia

65 GBR

58 JPN

China almost got more Gold medals than the US. Short by 1 to be even.

From Aug 7th:

“Since the first of July the organizing committee of the games and the Japanese authorities have tested over 600,000 people and we’ve had less than 400 positives, 385,” McCloskey said.

That’s 0.02% positive tests.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

factcheckerToday  03:26 pm JST

It means I don't have to worry about the Olympics coming back to Tokyo anytime soon thank god. Now Get out.

Tokyo maybe not, but I'm sure you'll join me hoping for a successful 2030 Winter Olympic bid for Sapporo.

Who knows, maybe they can share an event or two to Tokyo in return for the marathon.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

It means I don't have to worry about the Olympics coming back to Tokyo anytime soon thank god. Now Get out.

+1

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Hail to the theives!

If you ask what it cost, then we need only look at our tax bills for years to come, as we pay for another huge corporate welfare scam.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

9/10 winners will always be from healthy nation. All the locals from poor nation will always be watching those winners on TV/smartphone, easily inspired & influenced.

So we must educate those locals that such events are useless and keep focusing on making their life better by helping each other on agricultural sector, sustainable projects in their village/small town.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It means, . . . that as of 3pmJST, Sun, Aug 8, 2021,

- Team U.S.A. now dominates ALL medal rankings !!

AND *also, *the total number of medals by one country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Still some time and events left on the clock for others to plunder Tokyo’s GOLD stash.

“Best of Luck” to ALL the remaining Competitors !!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

 I can't wait for them to be over so the government has to focus on what should be the number one priority i.e getting us all vaccinated a.s.a.p.

The only reason Japan has reached 99 million doses is because the government through its arms up in the air and gave 50 million to private companies which succeeded in administering 45 million in less than half the time the government could and once the final 5 million doses left are gone, we will be back to the snail pace government only system.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Billions that should've been spent on the climate crisis. Ironic that Athens is on-fire on the closing day of the olympics here in Japan. Humans need to get our priorities straight.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

If the government had invested as much time and effort into vaccinating the Japanese population, as it has into ensuring the games went ahead, these games could have had spectators and been a triumph. But they didn't. So, personally I can't wait for them to be over so the government has to focus on what should be the number one priority i.e getting us all vaccinated a.s.a.p.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I'm already checking hotels.

I doubt they have opened bookings eight years in advance…

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The games a will be remembered as a great triumph by the world.

No. No they won’t. They’re a four-yearly flash in the pan, and this was no exception. People will move on with their lives and it will be a dim memory for most soon.

It will be the costs that will live on along with white elephant stadia.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Looking forward to watching as Sapporro's 2030 Winter Olympic bid proceeds, then we'll have the build up to the event, and then of course the Olympics itself.

I'm already checking hotels.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

To those who seem so worried about future generation kids: whether you like it or not, the world is competitive than what it was in previous generation. We have more debts than what our parents had. We seem to be doing alright. The next generation will learn to adapt. Our job is to educate them so that they will be prepared to survive in a tougher world.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The " TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS" will be remembered for eternity as a sporting event that took place without a stadium spectator attendance but a superhot watched event across the Globe on Telivision and the Internet.As a Indian from Mumbai pleased that Indis eon its first track and field goal with Neeraj.Chopra winning the Discuss.Agreedthat for the local Japanese common population the Olympics was a visually non sporting event with everincreasining cases of " Covid 19".In life you win some and lose some and kudo's to Japan for successfully holding the " Tokyo 2020 Olympics" whom most thought would be a non event.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

JimizoToday  12:46 pm JST

True meaning of what the Olympics is about and shame many posters on here will never understand.

He’s appealing to emotion. Some people are fueled on that. Getting sentimental and even hysterical about winning medals is a bit childish.

The more practical among us, maybe a bit more experienced in work and how the world works, look at the financial disaster this Olympics was. The financial mismanagement was atrocious even before Covid.

I don’t know what jobs, if any, some people do, but this would be unacceptable for most. Throwing money down the toilet isn’t acceptable in the real world. The walls would close in on anyone capable of such profligacy.

Like I said, many posters on here will never understand.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Stefan

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Happens often to outspoken and popular figures.

The games a will be remembered as a great triumph by the world. Those that hate sporting events will not change their minds.Millions worldwide have been entertained and inspired and that’s what’s important.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

There is no mention of 130K lunch boxes costing more than 120M yen discarded by the organizing committee instead of giving it to the homeless or homes for under privelege kids etc.

Nothing to do with me!

Rah rah rah!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

A waste of time and a colossal waste of money, effort and resources. And this year was the worst example of that.

There is no mention of 130K lunch boxes costing more than 120M yen discarded by the organizing committee instead of giving it to the homeless or homes for under privelege kids etc.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

The games meant that I got to watch them on TV, I got to go to the pub and get wrecked with the chaps, I got to, I got to, I got to, I got to...

What's that? Positive cases went through the roof? Doesn't affect me

Hmm? Bullying scandals, holocaust jokes, punching horses? Nothing to do with me

Taxes likely to be hiked for years to come? What does that have to do with me? Oh...I pay taxes. Guess I'll just ignore that part.

Basically I got to enjoy the Olympics, and frankly that's the only thing that matters! Me!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

1.16pm poster

Of course I care about others but worrying and complaining does not solve the issues. I am you and our families need positivity and inspiration. That is what the Olympics is all about. Triumph over adversity especially the Physically challenged athletes is an inspiration to everyone on the planet.

Many of us have struggled because of Covid, but we need to toughen up mentally if we can’t cope and focus on being a winner. That’s what the Olympians inspire us to do, especially. The youngsters.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

The Olympics close, the pandemic with surging numbers marches on with no end in sight. 99 million single doses. 42 million fully vaccinated.

We are back in the lottery waiting for our first shots. Maybe September.

It may be longer wait than September, my sister in law in Saitama it won't be until late October.

Of those 99 million one needs to remember that as of this week 45 million were given out be private companies that were allotted 50 million doses of which 5 million are now left and will be gone by next week.

So once that is over we will be left with only the slow pace of government Vaccination and shortages.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Might be better to get on with daily life than worrying so much about what may happen etc.

Wow is that not another way if saying "I don't care if the next generation pays for my fun and mistakes".

Well unlike some, I actually care about my children's future and saddling them with a debt not of their making isn't something I care to do.

Seems perhaps some are far more interested in their own fun and happiness than their own children.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

12.57

Might be better to get on with daily life than worrying so much about what may happen etc. The games are the worlds turning point to move away from Covid and get on with our lives. A positive mindset is required to get us and our loved ones through adversity. The games have shown this and I expect the Paralympics will show this more and help people restart their lives and put Covid behind.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

The more practical among us, maybe a bit more experienced in work and how the world works, look at the financial disaster this Olympics was. The financial mismanagement was atrocious even before Covid.

How true.

Montreal's Olympic disaster was a fraction of what we have now for Tokyo.

It took 30 years and a special Olympic tax to finally pay off the debt.

Taking into account population, the present and past value monetarily.

Tokyo's debts is by far greater than that Montreal had.

So I expect my grandchildren will be still paying off this year's games long after I am gone.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

True meaning of what the Olympics is about and shame many posters on here will never understand.

He’s appealing to emotion. Some people are fueled on that. Getting sentimental and even hysterical about winning medals is a bit childish.

The more practical among us, maybe a bit more experienced in work and how the world works, look at the financial disaster this Olympics was. The financial mismanagement was atrocious even before Covid.

I don’t know what jobs, if any, some people do, but this would be unacceptable for most. Throwing money down the toilet isn’t acceptable in the real world. The walls would close in on anyone capable of such profligacy.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

A summary: massive corruption, many staff scandals, colossal cost overruns, vulgar capitalism on full display, dishonesty everywhere, sickness & death(I would 100s of deaths possibly thousands are due to these games & the madness since Mar 2020).

Bottom line is they never should have been held its been & still is pure madness!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

The truth is one country can’t and shouldn’t focus all their efforts, for 8 years, on holding a sport event, no matter the size.

what is the purpose of an Olympic event? Instantaneous short-term galvanization of the metal-winning countries. Long-term benefits? None.

I hope Japan learnt the lesson and won’t bid for the 2032 winter games.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

"Tokyo 2020 has happened, it means a lot. It means there is hope. It means we are on the right track to a normal life. We are on the track to our normal lives, that is the meaning of the Olympics."

Wonderful speech from Kipchoge at the finish line of the Olympic marathon.

True meaning of what the Olympics is about and shame many posters on here will never understand.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

If the concept, the nature of this kind of overblown festival of sport has any future relevance, then the IOC must be forcibly removed from the loop.

I have a suspicion these Tokyo 2020 Games, the manner in which the IOC forcibly bullied the Government and People to accept the unacceptable, brings the prospect of change closer.

Paris 2024?

This pandemic, the Covid variants and mutations could be more potent that in its current form

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It’s been wonderful to see the world brought together by the event. There were as we all know, a small amount of troublemakers who threatened to disrupt things. There were some claiming there would be huge deaths and a new Olympic variant.

It seems that these days, some hate to see others happy and being successful perhaps because they are sad and unfulfilled. Yet the games showed us that commitment and perseverance win out in the end.

A good job has been done, well done to all involved.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

The saddest part of all this are the thousands of reporters that came here and gave a false myopic view of Japan, the reality of what the people have to endure and the games.

Ready their reporting, their twitter etc....

Some stuff about the actual sports then a lot of nothing, comments about the convenience store food being great, a few interviews with "locals" on their view of the games (usually all supportive) omitting mentioning that the convenience stores are in the village bubble and the "locals" are all volunteers or workers at the village.

Few point out they could not go out and actually see what is going on in Japan/Tokyo or talk to the every day Japanese person having to deal with covid, daily train travel etc...

And the few that did go out and were caught got sent home.

Makes me think about the reporting of the 1936 games on how nice and well organised and peaceful the games were, while reality was far different.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

There is not a shred of justification spending such colossal sums of taxpayers money on such a sport event.

In a pandemic it is truly shameful.

It is time this fiasco is put to rest.

Yet time and again cities never learn that there has only ever been a single games that has ever turned a profit. (LA 1984)

The rest wallow in a mountain of debt for decades.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

It doesn't matter how the athletes performed. The Games has shown us how corrupt and selfish IOC and the Japanese government are. Nobody had a crystal ball before the Games and it could have been a lot lot worse, but they both took a gamble. You never gamble with lives, especially your own citizens. But hey, the LDP will still be voted in again this year, right?

The games may be over, but the pandemic is now worse.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

I don't claim to be an expert, but if you wanted to help the people in Tohoku why not take all that money and put it in Tohoku.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I enjoyed the games despite the hardships brought on by the virus. I think Japan performed exceptionally well in spite of the clear corruption and incompetence of the governing bodies.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

It means I have no vacation time in August now,

I booked the last week of August off. Now that the Stupid Games (TM) are over, the government will probably announce a total, nationwide, please-please-please-please don't go out SOE. They can go swivel. I'm taking my vacation and if I want to go somewhere I'm going to mask up and do so.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Theft, lies, deceit, corruption, bribery.

The prioritization of nationalist vainglory and corporate profiteering over the public health.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

What did it mean?

Not even the organizers know. It was just a demonstration of IOC greed, the unmasking of Suga's flacid 'leadership' and Koike's blind ambition while hiding from the spotlight as much as possible, while all three parties left the public to foot the bill and endure a massive spike in Covid.

The lingering and most fitting image: The aged and tone deaf Nagoya mayor slobbering all over the poor girls medal.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

It means I have no vacation time in August now, because of their cute little tampering with the holiday schedule in July.

Thanks Japan.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

It's just a tragedy that they weren't put back to 2022 like many people recommended last year.

Winter and summer olympics in the same year would have been interesting. The pandemic in 2021 is much what is was in 2020. Because the vaccines work so well..... 2022 isn't looking good for foreign spectators though Chinese authorities don't mess around with the virus. They have no intention of "living with it" as the so-called advanced countries do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Literally nobody in Japan is asking the question in the headline.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Not a popular view here, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the last two weeks. There have been some great moments & stories. I love coming home from work and having an evening of varied, top class sport to watch.

It's just a tragedy that they weren't put back to 2022 like many people recommended last year. Feels like a missed opportunity for the entire country.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

They mean the Japanese organizers and authorities did a remarkable job under extremely difficult circumstances.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Have the games ever meant anything, anywhere, at any time?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Bloated with too many events, forced on a country not ready to host, a pale alternative to the wonderful Euro 2020. The ioc have come out with a much less enticing product, any sane leader of a country would want to stay away from. Why would you want to host such a money pit event?

The World Cup is infinitely more appealing. I couldn’t actually wait for the 2020 Olympics to finish-close the door on the way out..

3 ( +5 / -2 )

If you ask what it means, Shakespeare said it best, through Macbeth.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

If you ask what it cost, then we need only look at our tax bills for years to come, as we pay for another huge corporate welfare scam.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

ReasonandWisdomNipponToday  10:03 am JST

You don't support it?? Don't pay for it.

Great idea!

Now tell me how do I and my family get a tax refund for out tax money that paid and will pay for generation to come for this financial disaster.?

You say don't pay well let us know how we do that!

Wanna be upset over something?? Pick a different topic because the Olympics end tomorrow.

Hate Japan?? Nothing new. No need for lies and deception.

Poor Japan only place and government to be criticised and if any one does it is hating on Japan.

I suggest you check out CBC and see what is said their about Canada and the Canadian government far far more critical, is that also hate or part of the rights in a free country?

As for the Olympics, I remember the same junk being said about the 76 Montreal games, even the supporters changed their view once the Olympic debt tax was introduced and the 30 years to pay it off became reality to all.

Montreal's debt pales in comparison to Tokyo even adjusting for time and population, Tokyo will be paying it off for decades and we the tax payers cannot opt out.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

A nationalistic exhibition at taxpayers expense and lives. Anger at and mistrust in an incompetent government controlled by IOC.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It's hilarious that it's mostly expats who hate the Olympics.

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

From a personal perspective, these games meant that my estimation of this country, where I've spent almost twenty years, has taken quite a hit.

In the time I've been here, I have lived on the assumption that Japan is, while far from perfect, fundamentally a country with its head screwed on right.

That assumption is now on wobbly legs.

There's still a whole lot to like about it, and I have permanent residence, so it's not as if I'm planning on going anywhere in a hurry, but this whole farce has demonstrated that political apathy on the part of the people, and unchecked (thanks to that very same apathy) political ambition on the part of the government, can result in incredibly unwise decisions being made.

So that's my takeaway from the whole thing.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

So many sour people over the Olympics.

You don't like it?? Don't watch it.

You don't support it?? Don't pay for it. Don't watch it.

Wanna be upset over something?? Pick a different topic because the Olympics end tomorrow.

Hate Japan?? Nothing new. No need for lies and deception.

-26 ( +2 / -28 )

For some, they were a pleasant distraction from reality, but once they wake up in a few days, they'll see that any time you avoid and ignore reality's unpleasantness, you'll see that failing to deal with it has made it worse. On top of that, the Games mean more than $15 BILLION US, the highest EVER for an Olympics (what was it Japan bid again?), a more than 10-fold increase in reported Covid-19 infection cases, uncountable cases of scandal around the Games, and more. It means we will all suffer for the near future and probably longer through taxes, but I have a feeling that for the powers that be that held this debacle, it'll mean a talking point, and lies about success -- they will NEVER admit the harm it has done.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

 The rest of the world are ignorant of the dictatorship of Bach and I am sure when he retires someone just as horrible will come along.

However, there is no real excuse for being ignorant of the machinations of that vile man and his vile organisation. Not in this era, where such information can be found by anyone with a connection to the internet and a little curiosity.

The plus side of the "information society" we now live in is that the true colours of the IOC have never been clearer and easier to see. Their only objective is to hold their boondoggle at the expense of a naive and dangerously ambitious city, and as there aren't that many cities with the sheer scale and financial power to host them, then as people hopefully wise up to the IOC, fewer and fewer cities will want to host them in the future.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Having no lockdown has meant that Japanese athletes have been training as usual whilst their foreign counterparts have been training as best they can under strict guidelines or at home for the past x months. Go Japan!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

One of Japan's most surprising win was fencing. One japanese fencer, Kano, used the technique of sitting down to avoid the thrust, which was genius but not commonly used.

Maybe Japan should lobby for kendo instead of karate, if there's a next time?

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Great display of athleticism and worldwide cooperation.

Really hope Japan invests more in the table tennis, archery, judo and the wrestling department, by far Japan's best.

-18 ( +2 / -20 )

I am glad I cancelled being a volunteer once they stopped overseas visitors from coming to watch. As a result I ended up being free to start a new part time job.

I hope people remember that once you win a bid to host you can not back out no matter how bad things get. I hope they remember this but I expect Japan will be bidding soon for another summer if unrest. The rest of the world are ignorant of the dictatorship of Bach and I am sure when he retires someone just as horrible will come along.

The Olympics has morphed into something that harms society rather than making it better.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

You dont hold an Olympics in the middle of the worst pandemic in 100 years. Simple as that. Ordinary Japanese people got no value apart from some feel good moments for a couple of weeks. Huge debt and wasted opportunities are the legacy.

Of course, Bach, Coates, Coe are talking it up as the best ever. Money talks.

Should not have been held.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

The victory of greed and blind ambition over common sense and decent governance.

Good riddance to them.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

What did the White Elephant Olympics mean?

Well, for the people who live here, 80% of whom didn't want this boondoggle, they mean increased tax bills, starting from the next budget day and lasting for generations, until we make up the hole left by Bach's heist.

It will mean the people of Tohoku will continue to live within help or hope, because these things cost money and Bach took it all.

Families with in Japan will find there is no money for daycare, nor investment in education, nor an even remotely livable state pension, because the funding to improve the lot of the Japanese taxpayers is now resting comfortably in Bach's Swiss bank account.

These games mean Japan is broke for forty years.

I hope you enjoyed the running and jumping and splashing around. Now get ready to pay for it.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I didn't watch a single event - the Olympics are a load of boring bollocks wherever they're held - sweaty semi naked oafs running about like idiots.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

I was opposed to holding the Olympics during the pandemic because I thought it might help boost Suga’s sagging approval rating. But now the games are almost over and Suga’s ratings are still at the bottom. I’m glad we had the Games.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

For the 2 weeks a bit of patriotism kicked in and helped by Japan's medal count a lot of people got behind it, but that will fade quickly. That photo of the stadium in Ariake with no spectators allowed in while the bridge overlooking the stadium is crowded with people trying to catch a glimpse of the action... paints a thousand words.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Imagine a world that put as much effort and billions of dollars into trying to fix climate change as they did trying to hold these games and send spoilt rich men into space!

It really is pathetic !

7 ( +12 / -5 )

A super expensive missed opportunity.

I think it was a bad idea to host them, but even more stupid not to delay them till 2022. So the first big spend was for a party no-one came to. The next big spend starting tomorrow will be to maintain a load of white elephant facilities for a tiny number of users. The main stadium may be presented as doing well, but only by hosting events that would have happened anyway at Tokyo Dome etc. There are only so many people who can fill such a stadium, and AKB, BTS, and Ariana Grande are already pretty busy.

I didn't watch much after the first week, but it was because I was out being active myself. In a few days time, I'll start watching the Premier League football and the Vuelta cycling. I'll join the Japanese public in watching their favourite sports competition, the Koshien high school baseball. NFL starts next month. Rugby people have rugby, basketball people have NBA, ice hockey people have NHA. I think you'll find it is only the most casual of sports fans who get more excited about the Olympics than anything else.

For a positive "and finally", I did enjoy the silver-haired "Dad"-looking guy on the skateboard competing with the teenagers. He's got a great backstory too.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

It means I don't have to worry about the Olympics coming back to Tokyo anytime soon thank god. Now Get out.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

They were sold, well before the pandemic, as the symbol of Japan’s recovery from the destruction of the 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdown.

A true symbol indeed. The government disregarded the wishes of the people of Japan in the case of the Olympics and disregarded the wishes of the people of Fukushima and Tohoku in the case of the tsunami and meltdown.

A symbol of how politicians care about their egos and pockets more than the care about the people.

Let's continue with the Olympics, let's continue with nuclear power, let's not worry about the people.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I haven't watched the Olympics for at least 20 years and have long considered it an abject irrelevance to my life. I'm a pretty impartial observer in regards to this question. But I have watched some parts of this Olympics, and my conclusion is that the Olympics bring people joy, excitement, hope and celebration. That is what I have observed in people around me watching these Olympics. Maybe that is amplified by the pandemic, but it is our humanity, our strengths and failings in clear and stark exhibition...and a lot of people connect with that. It stirs people. Japan has put on a stellar games under the circumstance and I think they should be very proud of it.

My 2c.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

What does it mean? Japan is incapable of helping its people and only cares about the money and Black Kigyou.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

They watch sports for entertainment and to get away from politics.

Countries like China, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and other totalitarian regimes where freedom of speech has rarely, if ever, existed have ensured there will be no politics.

Politics are a basic element of democratic nations. Not surprising those pushing anti-democracy pro-authoritarian messages cry 'politics' so frequently.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

dbsaiyaToday  08:12 am JST

Did Bach allow a moment of silence on August 6 which is an observation held every year throughout Japan? 

Imagine if he did, think of what China would insist on next Olympics, a moment of silence for Nanjing, or all the rest related to the war.

Thinking the Olympics should have would have opened a can of worms that could never be closed again as ever future game the host country would claim the right to highlight something that they perceive as being a tragedy/travesty done towards them.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I think in the face of tremendous danger and crisis; never before seen since the end of World War II, these games have been done really well. It's just too bad the media outlets like NBC had to be so stubborn and not let these games be held in September, like the Japanese Olympic Committee had suggested. It seems like American football and baseball playoffs take more precedence in coverage than the Olympics.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

 I think Japan and GBR did very well with medals.

Is that surprising?

The way things are now only countries with major financial backing, the money to buy the lastest high tech equipment, with Athletes that don't need to work and spend 90% of their time training actually have any hope of getting by the first day of their event.

Over half the medals go to the top 10 countries, half the remaining to the next 10 countries and most of the remaining go to the next 10 countries all rich or powerful with no expense spared to support their athletes.

This is not unique to this Olympics it was the same in Rio, London, etc.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

What did the games mean? It was suppose to be about the Tohoku area's recovery from the earthquake, the tsunami, and the nuke meltdown. Did Bach allow a moment of silence on August 6 which is an observation held every year throughout Japan? A moment when Japanese and perhaps the rest of the world could have reflected on the use of nuclear power like in Hiroshima or Fukushima? No. Did I hear any of the athletes in their Japanese interviews, offer any encouragement or acknowledgement to the people of the Tohoku area? No, not that I saw. Then Suga shifted and said that it would be the Olympics to show how humanity has overcome this virus. Did I see in any of the interviews the athletes express gratitude to the medical workers and the first responders or offer any condolences to the millions who have been impacted by Covid? No, not that I saw. So now we can proclaim victory over the pandemic, and pat ourselves on the back, while delta rages and sneers at our folly.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

@snowymountainhell

Nothing different from the last Olympics in Rio, London, etc...

The top 10 countries all rich and powerful take home over half of all medals, the next 10 rich countries take home over half of the remaining medals, and the next 10 mostly rich countries take home the majority of what remains.

The Olympics could be held with just 30 countries and the medal count would barely change.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

It means more debt for Japan as a nation and more taxes for its residents

It means athletes got to compete for their events for which they trained - but got played by IOC (waiver signing for hear and corona)

It means IOC and Bach can go out from tomorrow to the world and boast how great their legacy is to have conducted such global sports events which brought the world together during pandemic

Worst is - it means the Japanese govt waste its precious time, effort, money on this event which should have been solely focused on preparing and planning to counter corona crisis coupled with vaccination drive - we are now under 5th wave in Japan and 4th SOE - utter failure on this front from the govt to look after health of its residents

Lastly it means due to wrong priorities of govt on hosting the games which consumed precious time and resources away from corona crisis - Japanese residents are facing present miserable and gloomy status where even if they fall sick they are not assured of timely medical attention and officially govt has asked them to stay at home to recover - sad state of affairs all along (these resources could/should have used to ramp up hospital beds capacity over past 18 months, as every other nation did except Japan) - this legacy will remain with Japan - apart from the shiny medal haul which is what will get plastered all over media in coming weeks till election time when LDP will again win

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Well a "joke" could best summarise the whole affair.

From joke reporting to joke covid response, joke testing, joke SOE, joke bubble, etc...

Reporting: despite the constant Olympics this Olympics that and constant attempts to spin a positive view. Few cared viewership in Japan was lower than the Nagano games and winter Olympics traditionally get fat lower viewership.

The attempt to rebrand the covid Olympics to the Mental health issues" Olympics in some bizar dystopian world that that even registered with 99% of the people.

The "Bubble" I don't go out much but every time I did I saw Olympic related people with they big pass cards around their necks everywhere from central Tokyo to the middle of Saitama most mask-less.

Controlled testing by Tokyo in some bizar attempt to give the illusion of covid not being out of control with each week testing being highest on the Mondays then reduced each consecutive day in a vain attempt to lower positive cases to the inevitable 3,000 tests on Sunday to say " look cases are low again".

Up means down, down means up until they don't or do or don't or do depending on what looks better for the government and the media that are fully complacent in this "Joke" perpetrated on the people of Japan and especially Tokyo.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

Vic.M

You must not know what deadly means.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Ratings were the lowest ever. Unpopular for the Olympics to be held during a pandemic in Japan and people don't like their sports to be political. They watch sports for entertainment and to get away from politics.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

My view now is no different to a year ago, these Olympics needed to be delayed until after this pandemic is under control. The government and prefectures should have been working to support the residents and the economy

At the end of the day, we did not get the games we deserved to have. We may have won more medals but we could not actively participate. We have been encouraged to stay at home and watch local businesses suffer.

I just hope going forward every sports association here will be applying for every major championship. We need to offset the cost of all of this somehow and let people enjoy all these new venues.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Chez Cleo it meant we got through a backlog of recorded videos because regular telly seemed to be nowt but Sports Day.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Whether it's bad or not to have hold the olympics, we cannot deny the fact that this one was the biggest achievement so far for Japan. We broke so many records and manage to bring life into so many sports. The athletes did their very best and there were many heartfelt and tearful moments. Sometimes as a nation, we still need national pride to inspire the next generation of athletes and keep us going.

So no matter how we had felt about hosting the olympic this time, we made history already. I am glad to have witness the games and thank all the volunteers and athletes for their hard work.

-14 ( +8 / -22 )

It like when a person goes on holidays abroad, but when they get to the airport, all the flights have been canceled. but this person is determined to go on holidays, so they book another flight even though it leaves in 2 days because of some unforeseen situation. they planned to go so they must go. Blinded to the fact of the whole point of a holiday they dont give up and when they finally arrive at their holiday destination. It wasnt worth the hassle.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

How was this a deadly pandemic ? How many deaths ?

-21 ( +5 / -26 )

Congratulations !!” and “Thank You” should also be expressed to the U.S.A. for securing ‘the MOST Olympic medals , especially the number of GOLD medals secured in honor of ‘All the countries of the Free World’ !! 

Peace to All” who love ‘Freedom’ !!

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

It means the world should say “Congratulations!” to China for making their ‘expected invasion & sizable plunder’ of Tokyo’s Gold during this Olympics !! - Surely, further great conquests by China are ‘on the western horizon’. - gods-prayers and Best Wishes to All. -

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Showed Japan more concerned about international image than its own people. Testing needs to be at the same level shown at the games with the rest of Japan.

26 ( +31 / -5 )

The government’s main medical adviser said it was “abnormal” to hold the Olympics during a pandemic.

Let me get in line to say "I told you so" when the LDP introduces some regressive tax increases (sales tax?) or austerity measures like cuts in pension benefits. Despite the opposition to the Olympics and the vast majority of COVID relief going to Japan Inc., the excuses will be the pandemic, depopulation, the graying society..the usual suspects when they push through tax increases in the face of once again overwhelming opposition from the public.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

It was a sad spectacle, in many ways. But think about the athletes. For just a moment. I played. I coached. The supreme test is the pinnacle. Could be World Cup, PGA, Stanley Cup, a myriad of others. Keep a fair mind. That's what sport is all about.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Strange question as it means a lot of tjings to different people.

Athletes - chance to compete

IOC - get paid

Suga and Co - save face

Taxoayers - more debt

Bars / restaurants - more debt and harsher conditions to survive

Covid patients - more hospitals refusing them

Japan as a whole - shiny medals and praise from around the world

This isn’t over though as we still have the Paralympics until September, or do we………

23 ( +26 / -3 )

“Everyone is just enduring this,” said Harumi Wada, a Tokyo resident. “But to hold the Olympics, despite everything, I feel there’s a dissonance, and I think that distrust toward the government is getting stronger.”

And hopefully the "distrust" will continue to build during the Paralympics as well, and that feeling ends up with results in the upcoming elections!

23 ( +26 / -3 )

means everyone forgot about the paraolympics coming up?

27 ( +29 / -2 )

It often revealed the overblown callousness of ‘nationalism’ of some, and their hatred of ‘the Free World’ peoples who thrive on their own, independent freedoms, open economies and markets for trade and the gods-given right of individual self-expression.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

As pandemic Olympics come to a close, Japan asks: What did Games mean?

The show must go on

life goes on

fear is the kind killer

-17 ( +7 / -24 )

More debt and more covid, while Japan's society problem before Olympics still exist, Fukushima, declining economy, population decline and others.

33 ( +38 / -5 )

The real campions. A few rich men and Coven-19.

14 ( +20 / -6 )

What did the games mean for Japan? MORE DEBT...

52 ( +58 / -6 )

As pandemic Olympics come to a close, Japan asks: What did Games mean?

The real covid numbers finally started being published.

28 ( +38 / -10 )

Too bad what could've been - all these things built and not many spectators to enjoy them with world-class events

10 ( +19 / -9 )

Can hardly wait til the next Olympics, so I can spend summer days in front of my TV watching athletes from Lithuania and Mongolia compete in the shot put. Yeah!

Truth is, under normal circumstances, the vast majority of the public have no interest in most of events, so I dont "get" the Olympics. I guess it's the rabid nationalism and greed for the yellow metal?

A waste of time and a colossal waste of money, effort and resources. And this year was the worst example of that.

37 ( +51 / -14 )

Games mean nothing, as they have meant nothing for a long time now. The only thing the olympics mean is billions of dollars that line the pockets of the corrupt IOC and their cronies. Instead of having countries waste valuable resources constructing venues that will soon be abandoned after the games, have the IOC fund a permanent Olympic venue somewhere that doesn't require nations to waste taxpayer dollars.

43 ( +55 / -12 )

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