Communication the game changer for Tokyo Olympics: ex-IOC marketing chief

Funny coming from a small group that is ignoring most of the population of Japan who want the Olympics canceled.

some polls show 80 percent oppose the Games going ahead in July, he believes the Japanese people are not against hosting

That is a very logical thinking

"However, if you go and look at the very strict controls the Japanese organizers and IOC have put in place, they have practically completely cut off any direct connection between international visitors and Japanese people," he told AFP in a phone interview. "There is the bubble, most foreigners will be vaccinated before traveling, they are tested twice before they fly out and tested every day in Japan

I find it hard to believe that all international visitors for the Olympics are going to be in a bubble. Or for that matter tested everyday, maybe the athletes will get tested daily.

You have to wonder if these “experts” really understand the medical and vaccination situation here.

Exactly who is the govt of the Japanese people?

“The strict controls put in place by the IOC and Games organizers should allay Japanese people's fears about a new wave of coronavirus.” -

Payne speaks with a certain authority, having in nearly two decades at the IOC been widely credited with transforming its brand and finances through sponsorship.

Payne -- who went on to advise the IOC for a further two decades after he left his post -- has become wearily accustomed to negative stories in the lead-up to Olympic Games.

So Mr. Payne is one of the people most responsible for turning the Olympics into "rolling colonialism" and a naked corporate cash grab beloved of authoritarian governments. Hardly something to boast about.

"You are not allowed to go downtown (in Tokyo)

Well, that's news to me and the millions of people who go downtown in Tokyo every day. Payne clearly has no idea what he's talking about.

so they are a very tough set of protocols, but obviously people have not fully understood the measures being taken to ensure they will be a safe and secure Games.

This sounds like standard patronising LDP-speak - "The people are against this because they don't fully understand it. It's their fault."

It's probably better to go with the experts writing in the New England Journal of Medicine who believe the "measures" are woefully inadequate, than a retired marketing man.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2108567?query=featured_home

Aren’t main points of *Communication ‘**reading the room*’ and listening to people?

“although polls show 80% oppose the Games, He believes the Japanese people are not against hosting the show.” -

Well if you an EX communications SPECIALIST for the IOC commenting on the lack of communication by your previous employ... would raise the question just how good are his communication skills?

The whole thing is a PR nightmare so his legacy as an expert is a communication nightmare, mind you doubt anyone is culturally enabled to deal with the LDP.

The 63-year-old Irishman says that although some polls show 80 percent oppose the Games going ahead in July, he believes the Japanese people are not against hosting the quadrennial sporting show. It is more, he says, that they are "nervous about the timing."

Payne puts this down to poor communication,

Oh yeah, people just love it when elite officials proclaim that they aren’t really against the thing they are clearly bitterly opposed to. Great communications skill there, Payne, that comment certainly doesn’t sound like yet another arrogant IOC imperial proclamation about the plebes or anything.

they have practically completely cut off any direct connection between international visitors and Japanese people

So the visitors will arrive at unstaffed airports, drive themselves to their accommodation, make their own meals and serve themselves, never go anywhere other than the venues and accommodation (both of which will be unstaffed.......

What a load of rubbish

"However, if you go and look at the very strict controls the Japanese organizers and IOC have put in place, they have practically completely cut off any direct connection between international visitors and Japanese people," he told AFP in a phone interview. "There is the bubble, most foreigners will be vaccinated before traveling, they are tested twice before they fly out and tested every day in Japan.

Then how about the thousands of volunteers that are going to be commuting and that mostly will be completely unvaccinated?

Daily testing of thousands of people in an event that can be skipped means those tests are not going to be done for the general population of Tokyo, which needs as much control as possible. The use of resources necessary elsewhere is one of the important reasons why the population is against the games in the first place.

Any one see the tourists around Shinjuku station yesterday ?

They obviously connected with the Games wearing sports branded gear, gym gear, fit looking, young, no masks and full of the expression many have when seeing and moving around Tokyo for the first few times.

So easy to see they are olympic connected, and they are in a bubble.............. its called japan.

We are supposed to just follow the story line here and believe these olympic ones are going to sit in the village or the hotel and not go out and visit places in Tokyo and Japan.

The people organizing this thing really must think we are blind and stupid.

One ‘truth’ can be paraphrased from the details:

"Somebody asked me what do the IOC think ..., they have had a good laugh," he said.” -

ALL at the Japanese people’s continued expen$e!

he believes the Japanese people are not against hosting the quadrennial sporting show. It is more, he says, that they are "nervous about the timing."

Its not just being "nervous".

Yeah, the IOC still gets their money, but what about the thousands of businesses which will not benefit from increased Olympic sales due to the influx of int'l fans, who are now banned?

From hotels to AirBnBs. Restaurants, food trucks, and all their suppliers. And then it permeates beyond Tokyo with tours, sightseeing spots, rental cars and everything else. Then all the snazzy banquets that are now cancelled. Not to mention all the "official" souvenirs (for which the rights to put that 5 ring logo cost dearly) that will now sit unsold and need to be trashed.

And then there are all the host towns for pre-Olympic training. Look how many needed to drop out, despite the hundreds of millions of yen over the past years put into building all those specialized facilities. Again, now just set to gather dust, along with all the scrapped events and local exchange programs.

In the end, the massive event that would have benefitted millions of people whether through jobs, increased revenue, or cultural interaction will now be lost. And any pride in being a host has vanished.

But at least the IOC gets their pay.

Of course he would support the doomed games, he is a marketing man who thinks only of lining his pockets and those of his friends. Just as rotten as Coe, Coates, Bach and Pound, who have stated that the games will go on despite Japanese peoples wishes.

Payne puts this down to poor communication, which he says reflects a global malaise of "communications management" by governments across the world since the Covid-19 pandemic began over a year ago "which left a lot to be desired."

Michael Payne seems to be taking a page from Japanese leaders communication strategies.

Whenever there is a wildly unpopular policy that they are undemocratically trying to shove down the public's throat they say "it is due to the lack of public understanding" and they will"do their utmost to gain the public's understanding". Which of course never happens once the plan becomes a fait accompli.

If only they could get the people’s understanding?

well that has never worked, how about you idiots understand the people, now that’s a good place to start. I really wish I’d been taught at school that intellectual acumen is a hiderence to success. It now has been proven that having a monicom of intellectual gymnastics gets you no government job, (bureaucrat,)no political job. This guy is waving the flag for stupid people to stagger towards his thinking, and will probably work.

@Ricky Kaminski13, I think you're wrong when you say that 'if the games go on, you don't have to watch, but the world will.' I really don't think the world will watch the games anywhere near the viewership the networks are hoping for. I for one, won't watch any of it, and I'm not alone. The networks will suffer losses, and sponsors will feel the impact for years. I can say that with unequivocal faith in my opinion because I'm a retired communications professional, and four years older than Payne. Been there, done that. Let's wait and do a post-games "coroner's examination." It'll be interesting to see who was right and who was wrong.

the measures being taken to ensure they will be a safe and secure Games

The measures being taken to ensure the games are "safe and secure" (redundant) include siphoning off already scarce medical personnel and resources during a pandemic (!!!). More non-Olympians will die because there will be fewer doctors and hospital beds. That's what angers me the most.

But yeah, sure, "the Games will come through as a celebration of the world beginning to come through". Come on, man. Enough with the BS.

Another greedy IOC ‘profiteer’ banking on collector’s interest and turning a blind eye to ‘real world’ consequences!

*- “Toon In! is published by Vision Sport (UK) for €80 ($95), visit: www.olympiccartoon.com. A special collectors’ version, signed copy of “by the author” is avail for €200 ($250).” - *

He’s not even one of the artists.

No Michael, it's not about "communication," it's about putting a greater value on the lives of ordinary people than on the profits soaked up by the corrupt organization that you helped to build.

@Ricky and others

I wonder whether it is possible to oppose the Olympics this year without being called a conspiracy theorist or a doomsday whatever on this forum? Sounds like very lazy thinking to me. 

About the Games being a super spreader or not, we don't know. Neither the pro like you, nor the anti like me. Many of the best informed people, scientists, said there was a risk though. Even JGov's main counselor doesn't seem so sure anymore.

So we are just saying 'it's not worth the risk". "Let's take the risk", pro-Games say. 

But for what actually? No audience, no international exchange, no excitement. Athletes parked and tested everyday. It's going to be no fun at all. 

Factor in the current state of the medical system here, the poor vaccination roll out, the damage of repeating SOEs on small businesses and precarious workers ... There are simply many other priorities and it's just not the right time.

Personally, I would be much more relaxed if I didn't have to read the IOC propaganda daily. Safe and secure bubble, symbol of unity, overcoming the pandemic, eco-friendly podium... Blah, blah, blah...

I fell I could have even have a bit of respect for them if they just said "This is sports' business. We're in it for the money and we won't let go. What did you expect?" instead of pretending they're on a mission to save the world.

Can't stand the hypocrisy.

First off, it would be nice for the former head of communications to know what he is talking about. Where is downtown Tokyo? Ginza, Shinjuku, Tokyo station? Also, he is so sure that all the officials, from the sporting good makers, to the corporate sponsors, to the media, they too are all going to be in big bubble? I think not. They will be out and about in hotel bars and restaurants, interacting with locals who most have not been vaccinated yet.

"However, if you go and look at the very strict controls the Japanese organizers and IOC have put in place, they have practically completely cut off any direct connection between international visitors and Japanese people," he told AFP in a phone interview.

I guess he didn't get the memo about the Australian softball team that arrive a month and a half before the start of the games and are staying in a hotel 2 hours away from Tokyo and playing exhibition games with local teams OR the Kenya track team that is training in Fukuoka.

I guess Michael Payne is just another example of how people will do and say stupid things if you pay them enough money. I agree with people who say the threats of the current Covid virus are exaggerated: the numbers do not support the governments shutdowns that have devastated the economy. They just don’t. My problems are that (1) since this is a manufactured virus, we don’t know how it will react when different strains are mixed together and (2) any and all public monies should be spent on helping businesses that have suffered during this pandemic. No amount of feel-good stores from the media are going to justify these Olympics.

Translation:

We (the IOC) didn't have enough paid fluent Japanese comment and Twitter personnel to get our non science backed propaganda out!

Another old white guy telling others how he knows better than the local population and it's local non white old men doctors and experts.

Someone should tell these old privileged white guys colonialism ended a long time ago.

I noticed that nearly all those that comments on how trustworthy, honest, who these IOC leaders are such great people worthy of near sainthood and the need for the games are generally non Japanese and mostly from some western country, those hear we know are Japanese are nearly unanimous in wanting the games cancelled.

The rest I have to say has already been pointed out, there is no western idea of "downtown" in Tokyo, the Athletes and officials will be living all over the Kanto region ferried around to multiple locations by locals that will not the tested daily or living in isolation, the list goes on.

happy days:

After countless fear mongering articles, still no scientific explanation of why having the Olympics would be harmful.

Is 3.7 million deaths (and counting) not enough? Do we stop the Olympics if only half the world drops dead or do we still carry on?

Taiwan was the shining example during most of the pandemic, and everyone was wearing masks and being careful. Suddenly, an explosion occurs. And I regard Taiwan's efforts as being way above Japan's.

Open your wallets more! (This is a rehash of what they were trying to be sold to us 2 days ago:)

- “Olympic history in cartoons details how games defies threats” Jun 5.

It’s alleged ‘profits” will go to 4 unspecified ‘charities’. Calling “BS” again on this one, folks!

What about the disease experts and medical professionals who say the Games should be canceled? Will propaganda...oh, I mean "communication"... work on them?

I’ve never cared about the Olympics, always thought it was a big waste of time an money. And boring on top of that. I would never pay money to see any streaming services for it either. And on top of that, Japanese media only reports about Japanese athletes and you have to go to BBC or CNN to get a clear picture.

If Japan had managed to vaccinate the population before

Let say for the sake of argument that he is right. That still doesn’t excuse the appalling arrogance of the IOC’s spokespeople.

If the games do go ahead and somehow manage to avoid causing a spike in cases, it will be the IOC’s aggressive and intolerant approach that people remember.

Alfie nails this with the comment about communication. The arrogance is indeed the same as the LDP.

The message is "you are wrong and it's because you don't understand our point of view". The IOC's only sin is not explaining itself very well. Marukawa etc. have also made noises along the lines of "how do we get the public on side with this". The problem goes way beyond presentation and messaging.

 "No one expected it to drag on as it has

actually, having done some background reading during March and April last year... I did.

I'm afraid that some visitors will breach the bubble or protocols by intent or accident (though it doesn't necessarily mean to cause a spike in the local). They better get fully vaccinated.

they have practically completely cut off any direct connection between international visitors and Japanese people

Neither practically nor completely…Alone all those remaining 70,000 volunteers near the facilities and maybe a similar or even multiple number of medical, service , cleaning, room making, cooking staff etc. inside the facilities that simply isn’t and can’t be true. Not to forget the unoutspoken ‘traffic’ in both directions at those later hours from evening to morning. You know, many might like it more local and not so trans or athletic…lol

"People forget that three years ago for Pyeongchang the media said it must be canceled because the Korean Peninsula is not safe" and that the two Koreas would engage in nuclear warfare

Say what? The media said?......... We are not talking about a potential nuclear war threat in Korea, we are talking about a very real pandemic that is currently underway. This is not media hyperbole, people have died because of it and will continue to die. The sheer hubris of this guy and the IOC is mindboggling. They continually diss the Japanese people. The very fact this guy is a marketing dude puts his credibility at zero from the first word that comes out of his mouth.

I'm guessing by the end of the week we'll have worked our way to the cleaning lady from IOC headquarters announcing that the cleanliness of the HQ in Switzerland demonstrates the safety of the Olympic bubble and 80% of Japanese just need to 'understand' this.

(Oops) the Olympics, then we would be fine

The ignorance of the risks when over 50,000 athletes and support staff will descend on Tokyo, 63 year old Michael Payne former head of marketing. with little or no knowledge, or experience of epidemiology into how quick the variants can spread within a community is breathing taking.

And displays the lengths to which the IOC will go for there 30 pieces of silver 

SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html

"People are uncertain and believe that there is a risk of it (the virus) spreading if the Games are held," Payne said.

"However, if you go and look at the very strict controls the Japanese organizers and IOC have put in place, they have *practically* completely cut off any direct connection between international visitors and Japanese people," he told AFP in a phone interview. "There is the bubble, *mos***t** foreigners will be vaccinated before travelling, they are tested twice before they fly out and tested every day in Japan”.

"You are not allowed to go down-town (in Tokyo), so they are a very tough set of protocols, but obviously people have not fully understood the measures being taken to ensure they will be a safe and secure Games."

These paragraphs show clear contradictions to the risks involved.

I don't believe them for a second, but assuming we take them 100% at their word (ha!) and believe that all these measures are sufficient and will actually be followed and somehow this doesn't result in ANYONE dying.

How does this STILL not go down in history as the worst Olympics ever? No crowds, no cheering, no ability for the athletes to enjoy themselves or their host country, several teams likely not even showing. I know that the money is the big (only) driving force here, but surely having the distinction of being the host of the worst Olympics ever held has to be worth something?

Years from now, people will use Tokyo as the barometer for bad events, that is not a good PR/tourism look. "Yeah, that was a pretty bad Olympics, but at least it wasn't Tokyo 2020".

The IOC and their mouthpieces keep going on about nothing to fear, we can't live in fear.

Well I don't speed around the narrow streets of Tokyo at 100 km and hour because I fear something, on the weekend is was on the roof of my 3 story house doing some repairs, is was wearing a safety harness not because I fear falling off I never have before, I don't speed 100 km/h on narrow streets, I wear a safety harness because of simple common sense.

Holding the Olympics during a global pandemic goes against simple common sense.

It is as simple as that.

nobody wants this ridiculous event just to line the pockets of these rich gasbags

the Olympics are a sign that we have taken control of the Covid situation

it we quite clearly have done no such thing. Tokyo is still under a state of emergency.

Or are you admitting that the Olympics are a blatant dirty lie?

Last weekend, Japan's governmental experts made hesitantly caution with moderate words about holding Olympics under state of emergency.

thereupon, PM Suga ordered that "silence him" to cabinet office, and Health minister, Olympic minister, political merchants such as Heizo Takenaka who devour vast benefit from taxes that are used on the pretext of Olympics made backlash to his caution all at once.

They clearly prioritize "something" except the lives of people.

....but then, I'm not an 'expert'... （⌒▽⌒）

This has to be one of the stupidest comments from anyone connected to the IOC

People forget that three years ago for Pyeongchang the media said it must be canceled because the Korean Peninsula is not safe" and that the two Koreas would engage in nuclear warfare.

When I worked search and rescue we had people that would go mountain climbing ( not hiking actually mountain climbing) this they and we understood had inherent risks.

The we had the fools that would go mountain climbing during avalanche season on mountains that were under avalanche watch/warning.

Take a guess which one resulted in more tragic outcomes?

The possibility of a war VS a global pandemic that has killed millions and is still killing tens of thousands and not under control.

Now cue the mouthpieces with their "the IOC has promised" " these are honest men" "the IOC experts say it will be safe" These are the Avalanche mountain climbers. while they dismiss the vast majority of Japanese and world experts all saying the contrary to the IOC.

The strict controls put in place by the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo Games organizers should allay Japanese people's fears about a new wave of coronavirus

Really would that explain the free condoms for athletes and others.

I live here in Japan with my family, they are not goalposts one can simply move. The over 65 have been vaccinated.

I have never implied that PCR is false. I have suggested there is a error, simple as that.

I have also suggested clearly the Olympics games is a unacceptable risk.

Are we clear Antiquesaving?

The under 65 will not receive the vaccine in the foreseeable future.

I am half English and I have seen the desolation/devastation, 129.000 deaths, 48 of my employees at the business in Brighton, because I foolishly sanctioned and paid for there travel costs to attend funerals, and family breaks in Europe.

False negative rate of COVID-19 PCR testing: a discordant testing analysis....

Over lunch, I challenged another quant, and a data scientist to run the modeling though bespoke python algorithm, and it is accurate........

I am questioning PCR, from paranoia from losing venerable family members that have moved to Osaka and have not received a vaccine.

“The games are very important to mankind” - Really? So if they were canceled it’s the end of civilization as we know it?

Antiquesaving, let me pose a question, if you were in my position, would you not question PCR even of the error rate is say 0.5%.? That is a best scenario. More data is needed.

The issue here the vaccine in not being rolled out as expected.

With the games looming, Testing will be paramount.

The danger of Covid and possibly its variants leaking into major populated cities is staring you right in the face.

I have businesses in Kochi, Nagoya, only a 12% of the staff have been vaccinated.

If the Olympic game are to go ahead as planned, 205 countries, all the difficulties with communications (languages), what would you be doing?

*Antiquesaving*, So you are Japanese? Or resident? I am sorry about your loss.

I don't have a problem with PCR testing at all. PCR testing is one of the only ways to contain Covid without a vaccination.

However one must not substitute one for the other, a comprehensive vaccination is by far the best means to contain the pandemic.

I am concerned the J Government is relying on PCR as a replacement to buy time.

And these Games is weeks away.

Antiquesaving, I have had so many PCR tests I have lost count as have the employees. The PCR tests are paramount. No doubt.

False negative rate of COVID-19 PCR testing: a discordant testing analysis.....

The data adds up, what I find odd is the conclusion, not science, more speculative assumption, I have 0.2%., my colleges .0.3%, 0.5%

Which could explain the use of the word discordant.

It is worth mentioning the risk of false negatives when carrying out mass testing......

False negative rate of COVID-19 PCR testing: a discordant testing analysis

https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-021-01489-0

Between 17% - 30%....dependent on how the modeling is analyzed.

Inspiration? What if you don’t like the Olympics or sports in general. I know a few Japanese people like that. Tell me where should they get their inspiration from as they lose money and work. I’ll be glad when this farce is over.

Typical underestimation of Olympics believer to present situation.

They don't yet know or try to see about holding Olympics sure deprive part of medical resources from insufficient healthcare system of Japan.

They seem to have no even awareness that they try to victimize the lives.

Olympics had raised "noble ideal" until now but present situation that Olympics kill people is most inconsistent with it.

If 100% who enter are vaccinated not 80% - I would feel safe enough.

Not vaccinated? Sorry do nit enter. Simple!

The strict controls by IOC and Tokyo organizers should allay people's fears about a new virus wave, says IOC's ex-marketing head.

Is that so. How much science could a marketer know about the nature of virus to make such superfluous claim about a new wave?

Is there a hidden misleading taint?..

@itsonlyrocknroll

Did you read the BJM article?

I am going to say you did but didn't at the same time.

It is not about PCR testing but rapid testing (Antigen test).

look up the difference, anyone in the know will explain quickly that a positive rapid test should be followed by a confirmation PCR test.

Please don't mix two very different things.

Ah. PR Spin. Out come the marketeers. The professional liars and flim-flam men. Changing the narrative into some queer mutation. As if 80% of Japanese are not against THE GAMES. Folks are just NERVOUS. What utter drivel and nonsense, another reason the IOC lacks legitimacy along with any who promote the games as anything other than an enormous spectacle, generating loads of cash for the entitled being held during a worldwide epidemic aka pandemic.

The IOC, apparently, would hold the games if it was the Black Death and Bubonic Plague, as they have A PLAN to make it safe. A plan which continually changes or is simply not honored.

Last week, they paraded out Dick Pound, another geezer who has his hand in the till and is connected to televised revenue streams - the mainstay for IOC revenues. Now some goober of a flack babbling inchoate nonsense about Korea and nuclear war and the games as a coming out party post plague. All of it utterly absurd and bordering on a pack of lies. Rhetorical drivel. With the vapid tag of offering: A Positive Message.

When the Olympics commence: Turn off the teevee. Ignore the games. The IOC are carpetbagging thieves.

"Don't worry." says an Irish guy who has been employed & handsomely rewarded by IOC throughout his career. He says, that Japanese people are "nervous about the timing" and that the Olympics are a sign of hope and celebration.

Yes. There is a Pandemic active in Japan and the rest of the world. People are getting infected.. people are dying. Nervous is right. It is not time to celebrate. Celebrate what? Cartoons are not the answer.

Such a meaningless article and what a Payne in the backside he is.

Here’s some “communication” the IOC’s jovial Michael Payne:

“Japan Olympic official dies after jumping in front of train” - Today 4:30pm

How will you ‘spin’ this tragedy into Marketing the Olympics for the audiences abroad?

@itsonlyrocknroll

You should check your info before.

That was originally published in Canada in October 2020 and has since been denim.

This was done only in Alberta the province with the biggest covid denier percentage in Canada and the authors were no different until Alberta suddenly started seeing a rise in Covid deaths long after the rest of the country was seeing a drop in cases and death due to safety protocols, masks and vaccinating.

Now Alberta is playing catch-up and has taken testing, masks, social distance and vaccination seriously.

Nearly all the more recent outbreaks in BC were traced to visitors from Alberta refusing to use masks, etc...

Not a good endorsement for that hack job created to back up the Alberta covid denial leaders.

Antiquesaving

No I am not familiar, however I have given this a view,

Please can you explain who debunked this paper.

@itsonlyrocknroll

This is just the latest of many.

Follow the links in the article.

If I was to trust anyone McGill University's people would be far higher on my list than some random people or group in Alberta.

Sorry not being mean to Alberta but McGill university is world renowned for their research.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6034273

Miscommunication is when the intended receiver was not able to understand the intended message.

In this case, the receiver understood the messages clearly but it's the messages themselves that were wrong.

The IOC and TGO will do whatever it takes to make this materialize. Dark days lay ahead, best to everyone out there.

Public Heath England reintroduced PCR testing across the board 30th of March, However I never suggested article was related to PCR testing. Lateral flow testing was the method because of portably.

RT-PCR coronavirus tests and false negatives: Why is that happening?

https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/rt-pcr-coronavirus-tests-and-false-negatives-why-is-that-happening-121050100452_1.html

Questions have been raised on whether the RT-PCR test, while essential for accuracy in Covid-19 detection, is returning false negatives, and this has more recently been blamed on the test's purported inability to detect new Covid variants. People who are getting tested may show symptoms of Covid-19 even though their tests give negative results.

Antiquesaving, These Olympic Games cannot go ahead as planned, with an expected 205 counties athletes and support staff, without a testing procedure that is going be a 100%. accurate.

Cannot dismiss the negative results as a conspiracy theory.

36.17 million of Japan population are over 65. If there is any suspicion that PCR testing returns false negative results for any of the variants, the risk of contagion into the wider community could be catastrophic.

Insurers could lose billions if coronavirus prompts Olympics cancelation

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2020-coronavirus-insurance-idUSKCN20M1YD

This is the reason why the 2020 Games were proponed and not cancelled.

The is part of the reason why every methodology is being brought into play to make sure the Games go ahead at any cost.

PCR test has to be 100% no less. There can be no room for error.

In fact, it is exponential. From 2% to 10%. The entire private school nearby, will be inoculated on Wednesday. As will our institution, third week of June. 

In Japan?

Can you back that up?

As far as has been released by the government no private educational institutions have yet been given access to the vaccine stock, so where did a private school get it's hands on Vaccine before medical personnel and the elderly.

Unless you are in a medical school and left that part out, this make me go ?????.

@itsonlyrocknroll

First over 65 in Japan have not been vaccinated, it has started but far from complete.

My children's mid 90s grandparents are only scheduled to get their first shot in mid July.

My present mother in law works at a care home the company that runs it owns 50 such homes in the Kanto region and not one resident or staff has yet to be vaccinated despite the company trying very hard to get them vaccinated.

I have been here over 30 years lost 3 family members to covid back home and I cannot go and they have not had a funeral because it is still not safe.

I don't know what your problem is with PCR testing and why it upsets you.

What is more dangerous is false negatives, a false positive is of no danger to anyone especially since it means people will be far more cautious.

PCR testing has nothing to do with anyone moving to Osaka or anywhere else, nor does it have to do with getting out more Vaccine or vaccination numbers.

If PCR was giving high negative results then we should worry otherwise you are just looking bfor a problem that doesn't exist.

If they are going to insist on having the Olympics I hope the PCR testing gives more false positives than possible false negatives because the first may inconvenience a few athletes the other could end up infecting far more people.

the games are very important to mankind

Really?

Let's see 3 billion people are food insecure and don't know where their next meal is coming from.

2 billion don't have regular access to clean drinking water 1 billion of then have no access to safe drinking water.

I wonder how many of those billions are going to watch the games on the TV they don't have plugged into the power outlet they don't have.

I wonder how many actually know or care about the Olympics.

$15 billion spent, I wonder how many people could have been supplied with a permanent source of safe drinking water with that kind of money?

would you not question PCR even of the error rate is say 0.5%.? That is a best scenario. More data is needed

No not if as you pointed out the error are on the side of false positives.

If the errors were on the false negatives then that is where I would start to worry.

The testing system like most are created to error on the false positive for a reason same as my annual colon cancer tests I had 3 false positives in the past 8 years and am fine with that, follow up testing is done nothing found I am safe, a false negative means I go for another year thinking everything is fine by that time the cancer would have spread.

It is plain logic error on the side of caution.

If they insist on the stupid games going ahead you being in Nagoya are in far better shape than I am here in Tokyo.

This has all the markings of a disaster in the making.

I am concerned the J Government is relying on PCR as a replacement to buy time.

And these Games is weeks away.

No I am not Japanese been here well over 30 years been married divorced, single father of two buried one wife that passed away from cancer, my two are now adults both university grads and I have responsibilities to care for 2 sets of in-laws one in their mid 90s.

Your worries that the Jgov is relying on PCR testing to buy time is misplaced.

The Jgov has been instead relying on not testing and testing as few as possible to keep the positive numbers down on order to justify holding the Olympics.

Tokyo test at best fewer than 10,000 the whole country under 100,000 daily

A quick comparison to just the province of Ontario Canada which tests daily between 40,000 and 60,000 for a population of 14 million.

If Tokyo tested 50,000 tomorrow The results would blow the whole Olympics out of the water.

Even the WHO has criticised Japan for it's low inadequate testing.

Beg to differ @ffs 6:59pm:

The IOC is a not a charitable organization.” -

The above article is a rehash of what Payne was trying sell us 2 days ago ‘for charity’ detailed in JT Jun 2 “Olympic history in cartoons details how games defies threats”.

@ffs 6:59pm: “it is not nor ever claimed to be a charity.” -

From 7:16 am today:

“Payne claims the ‘profits” of his book will go to 4 ‘unspecified‘ charities’.” -

“Seriously”?

@ffs 6:59pm:“It [IOC]takes its tasks and responsibilities very seriously*

Payne’s promoting a book of ‘cartoons’ He finds ‘funny’, despite the ongoing, real world conditions and ignoring the majority of people opposed to the games.

Will agree there is a high probability he still ‘profits’ from it, at least, in the long term:

From 7:17 am today:

“[Payne is] Another greedy IOC ‘profiteer’ banking on collector’s interest and turning a blind eye to ‘real world’ consequences! 

[Payne’s] “Toon In! is published by Vision Sport (UK) for €80 ($95), visit: www.olympiccartoon.com. A special collectors’ version, signed copy of “by the author” is avail for €200 ($250).” - *

Payne’s not even one of the artists but attributed as the author.

Antiquesaving, respect to your children's Japanese grandfather, my Mother and Father agree with him.

PCR has never been a problem for me.

It is the political dishonestly, the bouncing the people of japan into accepting the unacceptable.

A games built on the deception of human endeavor, excellence, friendship and respect, to be replaced by a insatiable need to profit.

To leverage the percentage.

Even at the cost of J health care system and it people welfare.

Long term change is needed, ironically this pandemic has revealed this $15 billion plus three week sporting farce, is a gross misnomer of misery, wretched parasitical intemperance, the need to claw a bottom line at any cost.

He’s not been ‘judged’ @ffsteve 7:57pm.

- “Mr Payne had the book published and will donate his money,… You don’t know the man, yet you judge him harshly.

… Mr. Payne’s has done it on his own and made His ‘point of view’ very clear:

*- “The 63-year-old Irishman says that although polls show 80% oppose the Games going ahead in July, HE believes the Japanese people are not against hosting the show.” - *

In fairness, just viewed his Profile and Twitter. He’s continually monitoring the media and just getting his information from ‘the media’. Int’s understood. It’s his job and it’s his ‘business’ to keep things moving forward.

‘Time’ will be the judge for all involved. - Best wishes to you, sir.

Payne is completely missing the point. The Olympic planning itself is already hurting Japan by diverting critical resources away from fighting the pandemic. He is only emphasizing the fear around viral spread during the games but is not factoring in the current state of Japan’s vaccination program, over stressed healthcare system, and shortage of doctors — all completing for resources, focus and attention from Japan’s leadership.

The Japanese population has been communicating for over a year to cancel the Games. But you guys aren't listening. So communication is pointless.

@itsonlyrocknroll

Familiar with CBC?

Go look it up. They have had at least 3 articles on it.

My point should be clear enough from my posts above, sorry if you don't get it, I have no time to dumb it down that low today

Anyone talking about false negative PCR tests should be sent back to 2019. We are talking about a test to find ppm viral fragments in snot. Which unfortunately became the defining diagnosis of COVID 19. You get that, right?

And anyone that believes the above and thinks that is how scie6 works clearly didn't do well in science class or biology.

@itsonlyrocknroll

You can try all you want keep moving the goalposts.

PRC tests like every other test in the medical field can produce errors nothing new say they are as ban as you and others are trying to imply is false and I don't see any point in what you are trying to achieve unless you are trying to slide sideways into the " covid is being overblown" cow puck stuff most people that go on about PCR complaints.

@itsonlyrocknroll

My children's Japanese grandfather has an engineering degree is also a Kōnin kaikeishi ( CA or CPA depending on your country) was at one point a professor in a National university and I suspect he would be saying what he often does in these situations.

You are over analysing things, looking for a problem where none exists

I know that the Tokyo Olympic games have a lot of aspects for japan and the IOC. but life is the most important thing, whenever whatever. Please stop it ASAP.

@itsonlyrocknrol

Don't stress it, been here a long long time, you learn to navigate the system, the health care here isn't as bad as some would like to make it seem, you just have to figure out where and who to deal with and stick with that.

I get great care from my local doctor who can pull strings any time to get me or my family into any needed services.

Not unlike back home.

You will figure it out just don't take to heart what some go on about negative of the health care here.

Been through a lot so has my son and we all got great care.

Could it use some improvement well that is a given but most places could say the same.

Whilst one of their own execs jumps under a train, the others are promoting Cartoon drawings to promote them... uh.. Crayon and Pencil is what they think we need to understand the Olympics during a Pandemic ?

I'd suggest you show more compassion towards your own staff than your own pockets - Judas springs to mind here, averace & greed too.

Will the Olympics be the nail in the Coffin for the Japanese ? The last defeat to wipe them out with a Chinese Engineered Virus ?

God Save Japan, God Save us all ! Since I no longer place my trust in Man/Woman-kind so called "Leadership"... which is as bent as ... a nail hammered into stone.

God Save Japan, God Save us all ! Since I no longer place my trust in Man/Woman-kind so called "Leadership"... which is as bent as ... a nail hammered into stone.

Re: foreigners who have abandoned all hope of human dignity.

I give you.... Exhibit B.

One has to live in hope. Whilst at the same time, recognising recklessness, and avoiding it...like the plague.

Autocorrect did it again

"That was originally published in Canada in October 2020 and has since been denim."

Should read:

That was originally published in Canada in October 2020 and has since been debunked.

Antiquesaving, can you confirm, if possible point out where any of the detailed research has been faked.

There are 29 clear references.

My comment was directly related to risks associated to PCR testing and the possibility of false negative

The document numbers and modeling appear to be clear and precise.

@itsonlyrocknroll

The simple fact they chose to focus on Alberta the most reluctant place in Canada to take covid seriously, to use masks, testing, etc...and not places like BC, Ontario, Quebec, etc...where they took things seriously tested considerably more should set off alarm bells in this supposed research.

 I really don't think the world will watch the games anywhere near the viewership the networks are hoping for. I for one, won't watch any of it, and I'm not alone. The networks will suffer losses, and sponsors will feel the impact for years. I can say that with unequivocal faith in my opinion because I'm a retired communications professional, and four years older than Payne. Been there, done that. Let's wait and do a post-games "coroner's examination." It'll be interesting to see who was right and who was wrong.

I see it differently, but I do hope that you are right.

As I mentioned before, I think this will not just be the most watched Olympics, but also by far.

Wrongly formatted sorry, should be:

I see it differently, but I do hope that you are right.

As I mentioned before, I think this will not just be the most watched Olympics, but also by far.

Antiquesaving,

The danger of mass test have been proven and published in the BMJ

Covid-19: People are not being warned about pitfalls of mass testing

https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n238

Results from Public Health England showed that the test’s overall sensitivity was 76.8%, meaning that 23.2% were false negatives. Sensitivity dropped to just 57.5% when carried out by self-trained staff at a track and trace center.

When testing 50,000 a day to many lives could be put at risk.

The CBC article relates to Facebook conspiracy theorists.

The study has clear citations.

I have emailed CBC and requested archived materiel on the BMC False negative rate of COVID-19 PCR testing: a discordant testing analysis study.

So lets wait for a reply..

ZorotoToday  01:05 pm JST

Japan's inoculation is going on steadily.

Yes, and that's the problem. It should be exponentially increasing and not steady.

In fact, it is exponential. From 2% to 10%. The entire private school nearby, will be inoculated on Wednesday. As will our institution, third week of June. Which is anecdotal. But. Large corporate entities are also doing so this month.

Better than Australia. New Zealand. South Korea. Russia.

The only problems I see here are people who seem to think Japan is on some kind of apocalyptic situation. I’m out and about everyday around Osaka and often travel the country. Life just seems totally normal except no nightlife yet. As many people about in stores, cafes and especially bars that are serving alcoholic drinks. Yet people keep going on with a bizarre conspiracy about hidden cases, hidden deaths just so the Olympics can go ahead.

There’s some kind of disconnect from reality for some, as if they can’t see that things are carrying on as normal and they keep coming up with weird theories why reality is an illusion.

Guess the IOC has decided to continue funding it's propaganda machine.

The IOC mouthpieces keep going on how the world needs the games and how honest and great humanitarians the heads of the IOC are.

Ok let them prove it, if the games are held then get the IOC to pay for not just daily testing of the athletes but of every one coming, all the nearly 100,000 plus the 80,000 volunteers and all hotel, restaurants, catering, driving, etc...staff at the Olympics using their estimated $3 billion in broadcasting revenue and any leftover give it covid relief programs to vaccinate people in developing countries.

Now that would show if they really care.

So now we await the excuses as to why the IOC doesn't need to do this or can't.

He is just stating the obvious. Since there will be hardly any visitors and the athletes & support will be vaccinated and tested up the gazoo, this hype about Olympics Corona is just silly.

Reminds of the clowns who wear a mask for a Zoom meeting.

> The 63-year-old Irishman says that although some polls show 80 percent oppose the Games going ahead in July, he believes the Japanese people are not against hosting the quadrennial sporting show. 

Agree 100% with the 63-year-old Irishman.

The Japanese LOVE that the Olympics will be held here.

Anyone think tickets will go unsold?

Snowymountain

Mr Payne had the book published and will donate his money which has zero to do with the IOC’s charitable status. You don’t know the man, yet you judge him harshly.

Japan's inoculation is going on steadily.

Anyone talking about false negative PCR tests should be sent back to 2019. We are talking about a test to find ppm viral fragments in snot. Which unfortunately became the defining diagnosis of COVID 19. You get that, right?

Sniff a few viruses and fight them off completely - you are a new case.

Touch a surface and pick your nose - you are a new case.

kiss a recovering covid patient - you are a new case

vaccinated? Doesn’t matter, see above,

To the last person who posted. The IOC is a sporting association not a charitable organization. It takes its tasks and responsibilities very seriously, it is not nor ever claimed to be a charity.

Interesting article, very insightful.

We get the usual anti Olympics comments here but I’m pleased to see more people are coming round and seeing sense. The games are very important to mankind and the Olympics are a sign that we have taken control of the Covid situation and can all make a new start.I understand some have concerns over safety but be sure that these will be the safest games ever. The games are for bringing is all together not causing strife.

I love the comments here... so naive.

You guys want something to happen (like canceling the Olympics)! Well, work for it: gather together, strike, make real demonstrations (not the silly thing you guys usually do here)! I mean, you have been complaining for many months and the plans are going ahead! So, obviously, nobody is paying you attention!

If you guys want real changes, do not just post them in this comment section... go out!

He is right. It simply won’t be the spreader event these doomsday era say it will. People just don’t wanna even give these games a chance, don’t wanna be inspired and have let defeatism get the best of them. If the games go on, you don’t have to watch, but the world will.

Safety Olympic wil be held. Stop bashing Olympic. Japan needs Olympic to lift the spirit of all in this post covid world.

After countless fear mongering articles, still no scientific explanation of why having the Olympics would be harmful.

How many hospitalizations? Deaths? Surely there must be some details...