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© 2021 AFPOsaka says she is preparing for Olympics, and will do news conferences
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Asiaman7
I wonder whether she will be staying in the athletes’ village. I wonder whether she must. At a COVID-free Olympics, athletes might enjoy the atmosphere there — but that’s obnoxiously not this Olympics. With her Japanese citizenship, could she book a few suits at the Ritz for her and her entourage, and then taxi in? Would a wealthy athlete who is not Japanese be permitted to do the same? So many questions.
non party
Finally she learned the lesson..
Stopped playing politics ...
Now be a good girl and focus on sports..
Other wise you will not have much fans and not much $$$
jiji Xx
"home turf" ??? 「(°ヘ°)
Mickelicious
Welcome back!
snowymountainhell
Good for her. - Agreed. There are many questions forthcoming :
Yes. “So many questions.”
Anyone have simple answers?
AG
She supports, and protests, for so many good causes.
I am surprised, and honestly not very impressed, that she will go ahead and participate in these Olympics, after so much disrespect from IOC towards her fellow japanese people.
Still time to shine and protest against this event Naomi.
enolagay
Cant wait to find out what japanese food she ate after getting to japan! Or what her new favorite japanese word is!
virusrex
Too bad she consider the unjustified increase of the risk for her "home turf" not an important enough reason to protest by boycotting the games.
didou
In Japan, she does not protest and do not do politics.
She will not give a word about anything to keep Japan and her sponsors happy,
If she really had guts, she would do the same here, and no interview, but in that case, she would be over
Jim
Ignoring 80% of her own country residents opinion of cancel or postponing of olympics & participating shows good priorities?
Michael Machida
"Osaka says she is preparing for Olympics, and will do news conferences"
I have zero respect for Osaka san.
8T
Maybe she really does have a mental problem.
HanoiHilton
You know what I find interesting? She decided to skip Wimbledon, but decided to play in Tokyo. I guess she felt that Japan is safer to play in than England. Smart girl.
Boku Dayo
Naomi-chan flip flops again.
I have zero respect for her and her views.
At least, she plays tennis well (when she's motivated).
Fighto!
There was never any doubt. Good for Naomi-chan.
Let's hope the vulture media backs off with the aggressive personal questions and lets her get on with the business of winning that Gold for Japan.
anon99999
Indeed the big question is will the richest sports woman in the world be confined to the Olympic village bubble and the cardboard beds and cafeteria food and playbook rules, or does she get a pass maybe because she is Japanese and on the Japanese team, or whatever. Various other better known tennis players and other sports people have already bowed out of the Olympics, sometimes with various excuses, but you can be sure a big part of it is not wanting to have to stay on the cardboard beds in the villagewith its cafeteria food, playbook and rules.
JeffLee
"home turf"? Gimme a break. "home turf" for her is a 15 million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills.
Tokyoite
A lot of hatred on here for Naomi Osaka.
What's the reason?
Surely can't be because she expressed her opinion on political issues? Something she's entitled to do (just like the commenters here on JT like doing).
I find the obsession by some on here a little bit weird.
gogogo
The now deleted tweet pretty much showed how much you bullied her (and other Tennis stars)... it's a game and these "organizations" aka marfia are turning them into a hype circus
tamanegi
It will be great to have Naomi-chan back in her homeland for these Olympics united in emotion! Good luck Naomi!
Pukey2
I guess the temptation of money was just too much. There may be no prize money, but there'll be money in one form or another from sponsors and others. Maybe loving ojiichan hd a word with her (through an interpreter).
isoducky
Accommodations at the olympics are based around the country and team discretion. The Olympic village is considered the most convenient as access is normally restricted but staying there is not an IOC mandate. After the September 11 attack, the USA basketball team decided to camp on the Queen Mary 2 our of safety concerns.
As for Osaka’s recent comments, her speaking now and to NHK has all been planned and set up since pulling out of the French open. I would liken this situation to Brittney Spears’ conservatorship , but with all parties in agreement.
Tokyoite
Or maybe she just wants to play tennis at the Olympics? It's a dream for many of the top tennis players.
Ambition and drive to win is what gets them this far. Money follows later.
Pukey2
Well she sure didn't want to play at Roland Garros. She needs to spend some of that money on proper coaching, mental health experts and someone who can help her to present herself in presentations - ie stop mumbling, and open your mouth when speaking.
Tokyoite
Or maybe just play tennis and win? I think it's pretty simple and is the actual point of all this.
But like I said, a lot of hatred on here for Naomi Osaka.
anon99999
Thank you isoducky. I didn’t realize that athletes can stay wherever they like during the Olympics. I thought they were supposed to be in an Olympic bubble since they entered the country with NO quarantine but now I learn from you it is all only optional they can stay where they like. I wonder how the playbook and bubble works with athletes staying at different hotels all over Tokyo. Is their security at every hotel they choose to stay to prevent them breaking the numerous mini bubbles and wandering around the area near their hotels. What about the other guests at the hotels? What about transport to the games, what a covid safe logistics the Olympics will be.
No problem for Naomi of course as she can afford to book the whole hotel and a luxury limousine to take her to the stadium.
Asiaman7
Answering my own questions:
Athletes are not required to stay at the athletes’ village.
Osaka could book a few suits at the Ritz for her and her entourage. And any other participants could do the same.
However, the playbook says athletes may only leave their accommodation to go to official Games venues and limited additional locations. Athletes staying in the Olympic Village are to eat there or at venues or other specially-permitted locations. Those staying elsewhere may only eat at catering facilities at Games venues, the restaurant at their hotel, or in their room using room service or food delivery. (I question whether these dining restrictions would apply to Japanese participants, particularly those staying at hotels, because you would assume that they would be entitled to freedom of movement.)
gokai_wo_maneku
Hang in there Naomi! I look forward to seeing you win gold!
tooheysnew
It’s not a dream for most of them
thats why most of the top ranked players were absent in Rio & will be absent in Tokyo
itsonlyrocknroll
Why Panasonic Appointed Naomi Osaka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDi1M5f4-Ik
And also one of the commercial reason Naomi Osaka, had never intended to miss Tokyo Olympics 2020.
There is a political, promotional, marketing reasoning behind Naomi Osaka decision to make this Tokyo Olympics a Naomi showcase event.
Not a criticism, its a fact.
Well timed, also a tad contrived
.
anon99999
Zoroto
i just learned today Olympic athletes can stay wherever the like. Even with the influx of officials, and dignitaries for the games staying in 5 star hotels I am sure she can find somewhere fitting other to stay that her money can buy, maybe just her own floor if not the hotel. I have been told that with enough money anything and everything in the world is available in Tokyo.
John
Home turf
wtfjapan
Olympics united in emotion!
covid has entered the chat
Sven Asai
Yes, in this and similar cases abiding is much better than dishwashing. The difference is surely obvious and relevant.
Hiro
Just let her play tennis. I don't get what's with all the hatred and being so negative. The girl did nothing to you all but all of you act like she own you a large debt.
Paul
So now you want to do interviews. What happened? Money running out? Fear of being deleted from competitions? Or fear of becoming irrelevant?
goldnugget
All of the above.
itsonlyrocknroll
The Anatomy Of A Tennis Player’s Sponsorship Deals
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2020/05/04/the-anatomy-of-a-tennis-players-sponsorship-deals/?sh=199e672f789c
Promotion marketing, and yes now the potential leveraging of sociopolitical characteristics, as important, the economics that define a value to sponsorship, has got to recognized and understood.
One event could offer more opportunities to fully leverage that agenda.
Tennis in not the sport the likes of Bille Jean King, once enthralled the crowds, social media has put an end to that.
Why Panasonic Appointed Naomi Osaka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDi1M5f4-Ik
This is excruciating, toe curling to sit through.
Richard Gallagher
NBA athletes in recent Olympics had their own ship/yacht parked in the harbor. Wealthy tennis players a group of suites.
You think Roger Federer or Djokovic bunk in the Olympic Village?
ETHAN1001
In other words ''The sponsors said I have to play and do news conferences or I lose my contracts and money. I've decided that money is more important than my tokenism virtue signaling. Furthermore, I miss the limelight!''
Pukey2
Bwah ha ha!!!
itsonlyrocknroll
Using track field/tennis courts as a political arena, social media then boosting the toxic mix could, and I think will end in a calamitous conflict of interests.
It will potentially open the gate to government interference and poisonous political lobbyists.
They are athletes, not remotely qualitied as politicians.
Politics for any media figure has the potential to eat you alive and subsequently destroy careers.
itsonlyrocknroll
There is a clear published Olympic playbook........
Olympic athletes who visit shops and restaurants could be kicked out of the games for violating COVID protocol
https://www.insider.com/tokyo-2020-olympians-covid-rules-protocols-2021-4
Also here the full playbook 3.......
https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/news/third-and-final-version-of-the-tokyo-2020-playbooks-published
If any athlete was to be seen to be afforded special treatment, the press/global media would have a field day.
itsonlyrocknroll
Hang on a minute, there are some, carefully worded small print, vague and ambiguous.
To quote.....
Self-arranged accommodation facilities will need to be certified by Tokyo 2020 to ensure that they comply with the accommodation guidelines, which stipulate the requirements for COVID-19 countermeasures and movement restrictions. Tokyo 2020 will work with respective local municipalities/health authorities to obtain their understanding and cooperation
– Confirm with your CLO that your accommodation is approved/certified by Tokyo 2020 before including it in your Activity Plan
– In principle, private lodgings, private homes and accommodation facilities used by a very limited number of stakeholders cannot be recognized as accommodation facilities meeting the requirements, unless certified by Tokyo 2020. It would be difficult to thoroughly avoid contact with residents of Japan and/or those from overseas who have been in Japan for more than 14 days at these facilities
Tokyoite
Oh really? Some of the names at Rio included:
Serena Williams
Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal
Andy Murray
Martina Hingis
Venus Williams
Kei Nishikori
Angelique Kerber
Wolfpack
Ahh the fame and money has cured Naomi of her mental anxieties - at least temporarily. I knew she could rise to the challenge. Maybe if she lays off the BLM activism she will get more tennis questions at her next press conference. Those questions should be a bit easier for her to deal with than those raised due to her participation in a social revolution based on racial differences.
Wolfpack
Just a woman tennis player? Have you read her cheerleading press clippings? She is changing the world just by the simple fact of her presence on a Japanese tennis court! She transcends sports! I wonder what could motivate a person to downplay her greatness? I’ll give you one guess.
kaimycahl
All the Osaka haters!!! Get a clue, she makes more money from her sponsors. Playing Wimbledon and the French Open is pennies!! She's has smart handlers play where you get your money from. We don't know what she has in her contract with her sponsors, I am willing to bet her handlers have if she win a GOLD metal for Japan she get even more YEN!! As for speaking up in Japan on political issues, LMFAO how many others athletes in Japan will do it? That is not the Japanese way, therefore she is doing as the Japanese do, and that is say nothing. In other words don't cause trouble!!!! Where as in the US you can be from MARS and not be a Citizen and say what you want to say. Smart women Osaka, she is doing what she wants to do and that is make that YEN regardless here or there!!
TheReds
Oh, she has recovered from depression or anxiety already? That's fast. Maybe the Olympics is a small competition not like the Grand Slams.
socrateos
She has my support.
tooheysnew
@tokyoite
a player’s dream is to win a major
ditto for golf
Tokyoite
Interesting.., a quote taken out of context regarding the 2016 games.
I wonder if you are aware that he's coming to Tokyo? Also that he was flag bearer for his country in previous Olympics? He as a gold and silver medal from Olympic events.
As for his withdrawal in 2016, he was injured in Wimbledon just a month before and pulled out of the entire season, not just Rio. If you had not "cropped" the quote, it looks something like this when asked if he could make 2016 for his third Olympics:
“It’s not my No. 1 goal, or my No. 2 goal,” Federer said of an Olympic singles title in 2016, four months before withdrawing due to injury from what would have been his fifth Olympics in Rio. “It’s just something I’ve said, maybe I can reach that tournament and then see how it goes.”