tokyo 2020 olympics

Paralympics chief tries to calm 'anger' over Games

63 Comments
By Andrew McKIRDY

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2021 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


63 Comments

Comments have been disabled You can no longer respond to this thread.

at least 60 percent of Paralympians are currently expected to be vaccinated by the Games,

and less than 1% of the Japanese population are vaccinated.

and vaccines do not prevent infection by new variants

What could possibly go wrong??

22 ( +27 / -5 )

Parsons said at least 60 percent of Paralympians are currently expected to be vaccinated by the Games, but that figure may rise after organizers struck a deal with Pfizer/BioNTech

I thought, even you are vaccinated you can spread the virus, right?

The athlets, vaccinated or not, can bring the virus of any strain to Japan.

So to vaccinate the athlets is no help for the japanese people.

To vaccinate the japanese people, that would be a help.

20 ( +24 / -4 )

Paralympics chief tries to calm 'anger' over Games

That's not clam 'anger', what happened is shutting down people voices.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

Games organizers have held a series of test events in recent weeks, with only one virus case detected from more than 700 athletes and over 6,000 related staff.

How about the multiple cases in local support staff due to the yet-to-be-completed torch relay?

Or the fact that the Olympic contract requires a secured allotment of hospital beds and doctors for all foreign Olympic participants (15,000 athletes + 90,000 "essential" staff) which need to be set aside for them and remain unavailable for tax-paying Japanese citizens and residents.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

Seems like he’s trying to use Yoda’s ‘advice’ here:

- “... when there is uncertainty there is fear, and fear becomes anger." -

But,, he needs to finish the thought:

- “Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” -

Haven’t the Japanese people suffered enough?

16 ( +16 / -0 )

"We understand the feeling of uncertainty," Parsons said in an interview from Brazil. "And normally when there is uncertainty there is fear, and sometimes fear becomes anger."

But he said extensive countermeasures, including multiple pre-arrival tests and daily testing in Japan, make the chance of spreading the virus "really remote".

No Parsons: You have absolutely no clue about what is really happening in Japan.

Japanese people are angry that medical resources and other resources will be diverted to these gams

Japanese people, like my 80 year old in laws who just found out their first shot of the vaccine will not be in July, not June are angry to see priority being given to young and very healthy people.

Japanese people are angry because they know that not only the athletes are coming to Japan but 10's of thousands of support staff and media who will not be held to the same level of scruting as the athletes.

Japanese people are angry to see facilities which could be used to house those infected with Covid 19, such as the Olympic Village, are being kept for the athletes.

Japanese people are angry to see that you really do want to put the games ahead of the health and safety of the Japanese and they are tired of being talked down to by arrogant IOC people who do not live here in Japan and obviously do not care about Japan.

Parsons you know nothing about Japan or what is really happening here now so the best course of action is to shut up or speak out for postponement or cancellation.

29 ( +29 / -0 )

just as a matter of interest... with regard to the 'Paralympics chief', and the other 11 Board members, and all the ancillary staff around the world and in the IPC headquarters in Bonn.... is one of the employment criteria that they be 'para'? I wonder.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

What is the positive effects of holding Olympics under this situation?

9 ( +11 / -2 )

This is a great chance for Tokyo to drop the Paralympics which no city really wants the expense and trouble of holding. It generates little interest in the host country and almost none abroad. But has even more staff and logistics than the able bodied version.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

What is the positive effects of holding Olympics under this situation?

Money, advertising,

i feel sorry for the athletes. They have life difficulties, but it’s sounds like they are being exploited.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

@vanity - For Japan there is none - absolutely zero - positive impact. It is actually an overwhelming burden on the nation and the people. Even Toyota, a major sponsor, is starting to realize this (acknowledge is better).

One of the positive impacts which was always heralded (since 2014) was a positive economic impact. Now since no one is coming (except for athletes and their 10's of thousands of support staff) and those who are coming cannot really contribute to Japan's economy the games are actually going to be even a greater financial loss than normal - likely a fiscal disaster. As Monty pointed out above, although the vaccines have been proven excellent in ensuring severe complications from Covid to not occur, the vaccines do not fully prevent the spread of the virus and therefore unvaccinated people (such as my 80 year old in laws) are at risk.

The Olympics are not going to improve the image of Japan. Most people in the world are against the games. On the other hand there is a very huge risk that if the Olympics become a super spreader event then this will very negatively impact Japan's image for decades.

Mikitani-san, the CEO of Rakuten, a very intelligent and rational Japanese national, calls the games a "suicide mission". I have lived here 25 years however I am quite sure Mikitani-san knows much more about Japan and its capabilities than I do so I think I will now default to his opinion on this matter.

I really cannot undestand why anyone in Japanese government would be pushing so hard for these games. There literally is nothing for Japan to gain from holding the games at this point.

If one performs a risk assessment related to these games one would conclude

Risk to global health: High, Risk to domestic health: Very High, Risk to medical infrastructure: Very High, Financial Risk: Very High, Long term risk to Japan's reputation: High

21 ( +21 / -0 )

We understand the feeling of uncertainty," Parsons said in an interview from Brazil. "And normally when there is uncertainty there is fear, and sometimes fear becomes anger."

Bold faced lie! You have no idea of the feelings of nearly 70% of the Japanese public!

You are just goose stepping inline with the IOC! It's all about $$$$$$$$$

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57097853?fbclid=IwAR2QmC9H696PKbGOFs2QY5QOfJE8ctGEVMcCtGbyjsJ-n5ekqbRUe32SVLE

12 ( +12 / -0 )

chances of athletes spreading coronavirus are "really remote" 

Yeah right… lol !

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Mission not accomplished.

Anything calling for the games to continue will only bring on more anger.

Actually, I'm kind of wondering why someone representing the Paralympics is calling for them to go on. Aren't they some of the more vulnerable to the virus?

Cancel all the silly sports.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Of course. Makes sense. Now the head of the Paralympics is begging the public to accept these games. An appeal to emotion.

This latest move shoes that the IOC/JOC/Japanese government is running low on ammunition.

Puulllllllleeeeeezzze! You'll have to come up with a better way to wag the dog than this!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@anon - Imagine now that people are coming from all over the world with different mutations (variants) of the virus. What a dramatic impact that may have.

Do you have a link to a story or something about this? There is a journalist in the U.S. who i want to send it to

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Parsons' comments are tone deaf. The Japanese have been betrayed by their government for the sake of big business, and they are angry. After a year of "states of emergency" designed to keep companies afloat as workers and small businesses suffer, the Japanese public now get to watch the rest of the developed world return to normalcy just as Japan enters its darkest hour and our medical system starts to collapse. Yes, of course we are suspicious that the IOC is putting profit above public health. No, we are not in the mood for a celebration here.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

I wonder how many people outside of Japan, be they the general public or sports associations understand most of us are not being vaccinated yet. The risk to Japan’s residents is huge.

We are seeing a higher percentage of infections due to the variants. This is leading to infections spreading quicker and leading to more serious hospitalization. There is very little slack left in the medical system. With all the best will in the world, now is just the wrong time for these two events. I understand this is devastating for all people involved in the organisation and taking part.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

"Games organizers have held a series of test events in recent weeks, with only one virus case detected from more than 700 athletes and over 6,000 related staff." Yes, and the marathon test case in Sapporo resulted in record number of infections a week after the event. So the only numbers the apologists are concerned about are the infections amongst the athletes and staff and not the local populace. Thank you for shooting yourself in the foot.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

stringent virus countermeasures will keep athletes and the Japanese public safe.

This is not why people are angry or upset about holding the olympics.

That is what IOC and POC don't seem to get.

What we are upset about is the inaction that the government has towards the pandemic.

What has the government done to help support the citizens a one of payment of 100000 YEN and a Mask that most people never received or wanted.

More over the amount of covid testing being done is far to low and is mostly expensive to get so people don't take it unless they are really sick, the border is practically open except for a PLEDGE to quarantine.

If we didn't have the olympics hanging over our heads sucking all the money that could have been used to help in handling of the pandemic.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

parsons you have just UPPED my anger level substantially!!!

You are either brutally ignorant or lying you A$$ off, my $$ is on the later!

In case you dont know there are a HELL of LOT more people to worry about that athletes, there are many 10s of thousands of media, many already here & more arriving each day, coaching staff & all the hangers on.

And there is NO BUBBLE, its impossible to pull off. You show NO SYMPATHY for how Japans medical system is slammed RIGHT NOW! People are dying of covid in their homes unable to enter hospitals, millions of Japanese cant go for more common hospital needs.

So yeah thanks for maker me angrier, MUCH ANGRIER, please keep your arrogant self away from Japan!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

@Gwylly

Thank you. I can read the Japanese so I can summarize and I think he knows someone who can verify (translate) for him.

Off it goes.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"The last thing that we want to do is jeopardize the Japanese health system at this very moment,"

Seems like that's the FIRST thing you want to do... well, after lining your pockets.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Tone deaf comments from Mr. Parsons but what can we expect from billion-dollar business executives living in a media bubble and rubbing shoulders with the likes of John Coates and Thomas Bach every day?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Mr Parsons is doing his job which is to cow tow to his IOC bosses so he stays in line for promotion and bonuses.

it is is not true there was only one case during Olympic test events either. Snd the recent Hokkaido outbreak follows after the test event there.

he deliberately ignores the real issues which are that Japanese people will die because medical workers will be taken away for the olympics. That there are zero of the promised economic benefits when we organise in 2022.

the athletes are also loosing all my respect with their selfish behaviour.

and the way in which Parsons talks about Japan is patronising, like Coe does. It is colonial talk.

Thr man is a parrot pleasing his IOC bosses

4 ( +5 / -1 )

People are already dying at home because of a lack of hospital beds. In a situation like this, a normal first world country would devote all available resources to ending the pandemic. This includes negotiating an end to the Olympics ASAP.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

He is right. Nothing to worry about. Most Japanese are going about their daily lives despite the virus. So if there are 70 percent against the games, either we have a lot of hypocrites or the polls are rigged.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

“and vaccines do not prevent infection by new variants”

Ergo, it’s better to wait until effective, safe, (emphasis) vaccines are developed, before taking anything currently on offer.

I hope this makes clear I’m not an anti-vaxxer.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Ergo, it’s better to wait until effective, safe, (emphasis) vaccines are developed, before taking anything currently on offer.

What if we take what we have now.

And if something better comes along the way, we take that too.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The athletes themselves do not concern me but, their entourages and their history and movements before setting out to Japan are unknown; all those involved in getting them here, the flight crews and all the various baggage handlers and loaders around the world who handled and breathed on their bags, what is their history? It only takes one or two infected people to have been involved and suddenly we have another outbreak in Japan, right in the middle of the Olympic playground.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Since when was the IOC elected to make the decisions here?

Suga and his LDP muppets have turned their authority over to avoid responsibility. In a small sense I miss Abe. At least he knew the power he had.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Here is the problem that no one has addressed yet.

The other day Japan hit it's highest level of testing passing the 100,000 tests in a single day.

That was reached by over 80% of tests being done by private labs requested by private individuals or companies, Universities and hospitals. The government testing made up less than 20%.

Now keep in mind this was for the entire country.

So at least 105,000 Athletes and official will be coming here on top of local workers and volunteers.

The IOC, IPC, TOC and Jgov claim they will be testing everyone daily.

Ok how will they be able to do that when the public testing can't even test 20,000 a day across the country and every lab every hospital and University can't even do 100,000 and again that is every one in the country.

Unless they requisition all private labs, hospitals, Universities and force them to prioritise the Olympics and ignore the population, it does not seem to be realistic.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Parson, you and every single member of the IOC can go to you-know-where. Japan’s economy and health system and way of life have been ravaged by this pandemic and the only thing you IOC swine care about is your expensive sports festival. I cannot wish enough bad things on you and the IOC. You and your fellow swine are so lucky that Japanese politicians are as brainless as they are spineless. If a real person was sitting in the Prime Minister’s seat, he or she would say, “The Olympics are cancelled. Deal with it. As for the contract we signed there clearly exists an escape clause that allows Japan, which is a sovereign country, to cancel it in the face of extraordinary events. I am invoking that clause. If the IOC disagrees then feel free to take it to court. Best wishes in China in 2022.”

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Ahhh here we go with the emotional blackmail.

What? You don't want the Olympics? But these disabled athletes have worked so hard, it's their dream...WHY ARE YOU TAKING AWAY THE DREAM OF THESE DISABLED PEOPLE? WHERE IS YOUR HEART? WHY DO YOU HATE THEM?

It's so shameless, it's almost brilliant.

But not quite. It's blatant, it's venal, and it stinks to high heaven. Shame on anyone connected to spreading this posturing bullsh!t.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Some of the comments here repulse me. We have athletes triumphing over adversity and people here want to destroy their dreams. There is less danger from the Olympics than catching the train during a commute in Tokyo. Please stop being selfish and let these heroes love out their dream

-16 ( +1 / -17 )

"The last thing that we want to do is jeopardize the Japanese health system at this very moment," he said, calling for "innovative solutions" to avoid adding pressure.

...We need to work out the processes and that's what we're doing at the moment."

He's basically saying they have no innovative solutions in place, nor have they finalized the process with the athletes. So it's just a case of make it up as we go along. That certainly doesn't inspire any confidence at all. I'd prefer you didn't just come and take a huge gamble, thank you very much.

'a doctors union on Thursday warning it was "impossible" to hold the Games safely during a pandemic.'

That's the most important point made in the article.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

First of all, having the Olympics is ridiculous under the current situation. Anyone with common sense knows that and knows they are just trying to make a buck. Secondly, the Japanese "anger" is not about the Olympics per se, it is about having "dangerous foreigners" enter their precious land.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

SurivanihCToday 11:36 am JST

*To anyone complaining..ask yourself "What am I doing to make the situation that I am complaining about better?"*

I think you'll find we are all doing everything we can. I'm going to guess those complaining are taking the virus seriously, and following all daily precautions. I also think many of those complaining , like me, will not 'participate' in media surrounding the Olympics once it starts, and have already begun the process of moving away from brands and services that support this horrible idea.

How about you?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

thank you Gwylly

First mention of this story that I have seen in the official press. Very low key. I know it was true and interesting to hear they are shutting the campus only for a short time in response, Not in the English press as far as I have seen.

My comment was deleted by JT as off topic ( nothing to do with censuring this story of course) even though this story is very relevant to holding sports events such as the Olympic. safely. Relevant because it shows how easily the virus can spread to complete sporting teams that train together as will be happening in the Olympics and cast doubt on officials, such as the one in this story, promises to hold safe events. I hope my comment will not be deleted again

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Paralympics chief Andrew Parsons said the chances of athletes spreading coronavirus are "really remote" as he attempted to douse Japanese "anger" over the Tokyo Games.

Its not just the athletes, but all the support staff, coaches administrators etc that travel with them. Not only that, to hold the olympics, you also need tens of thousands of supoprt staff, bot domestic and international to move around the country for the Games.

Get it into your thick skulls IOC. Japan bought into the Games as a celebration and a way to showcase itself to the world. They can't do that now, and the IOC is forcing them to hold it in the middle of a global pandemic.

It's like trying to hold a huge birthday party a couple of days after the death of a family member.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I don't know what these Paralympiams are thinking.

I have intermittent loss of sight in one eye, a genetic family problem that will eventually lead to full loss in that eye and probably in both eyes as has been the case for other family members, I just hope it will be like my grandmother not until I am well into my 80s or older. ( New treatments are improving and slowing the progression)

But one thing I would not want is to have covid on top of another disability.

Life with a disability is hard enough not to add covid-19 to those difficulties.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So these disabled heroes who have struggled through adversity to make their dream a reality, should not be allowed to compete? All this for some people’s who’s views are extreme and are unable to accept the event will be safe.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

@Gwylly

This is what I keep saying and wondering.

Do the university team members have covid.

How were they tested, this is an important question.

As the data shows public testing accounts for less than 20% of testing in the country.

The vast majority is being done by people going on their own to private labs the next highest percentage are hospitals with their own testing Labs followed by universities.

Was Tokai university conducting it's own student testing?

This is important to know.

The entire country has only once been able to test over 100,000 a day and over 80% private, hospitals and universities.

So with over 100,000 athletes and officials needing daily testing as the IOC claims will be done, where and how will these test be conducted without interrupting the already low testing in Japan.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

That was a ‘blanket’ comment @spinning plates 11:51am from one of our ‘the neighbors’:

*- “To anyone complaining: "What am I doing to make the situation that am complaining about better?"*

So, what’s ‘Your’ suggestion ‘from China’ @SurivaniC 11:35am?

Based on your ‘broadcasted’ general, advice above (which you offered ‘for the first time’ Today) about several Japanese ‘domestic’ issues, what do You and the Chinese government suggest about balancing the Tokyo Games and the worldwide pandemic?  

China seems well suited in controlling sizable portions of a population given their experience with the ‘dormitories’, events and ‘education’ their currently affording Uyghur people in Xinjiang Provence. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57124636 - (Credit to @ToastedHeretic 4:49p)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So these disabled heroes who have struggled through adversity to make their dream a reality, should not be allowed to compete? All this for some people’s who’s views are extreme and are unable to accept the event will be safe.

How please don't even try going there.

My grandmother went blind, I will probably also as other in my family have ( genetic).

As a young healthy man I got a severe case of pneumonia that nearly killed me, young and fully able bodied, dealing with it was hard enough.

Watching and caring for my grandmother and also a cousin who were blind and got pneumonia it is a very different, frightening and dangerous thing

Already those with disabilities especially mobility and sight have difficulty getting around, now add in being sick with fever, pneumonia and it becomes a bigger struggle.

If the organisers actually cared about these people the one place they would not bring them is to an event that raises their risks of getting sick.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Antiquesaving

Sorry to hear about your experiences, but it has nothing to do with the athletes. These people have physical disabilities not illnesses. They are fit and healthy and mature enough to make their own decisions.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

@ffs 1:52p. From his personal experiences, @Antqusving 1:44p is making a significant point about susceptibility to illness.

“As a young healthy man I got a severe case of pneumonia that nearly killed me, young and fully able bodied, dealing with it was hard enough.”

Despite the Paralympic athletes’ relatively young ages, overall general health and stamina, They are some of the most vulnerable:

- “Illness is common in Paralympic athletes, mostly due to infections (respiratory, skin and subcutaneous tissue, gastro-intestinal) infections often occur in athletes with spinal cord injury. A delay in reporting of more than 24 hours which could have important clinical implications.” -

3 ( +4 / -1 )

This Parsons is obviously ignoring data that has been compiled by his own agency:

https://www.paralympic.org/medical/injury-and-illness-surveys -

“ Paralympic athletes have unique preexisting medical conditions that predispose them to increased risk of illness”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29627085/

data are limited to studies conducted during the last 3 Paralympic Games.” -

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@falseflagsteve

Do you always only read or see what you want?

Having a disability young healthy or not has problems other don't have.

Being sick while dealing with a disability is far more difficult that it is for a person without disabilities.

A person in a wheelchair that has pneumonia is even less capable of mobility than usual, include that respiratory problems are already high for those that are paraplegic or quadriplegic and you have a recipe for disaster regardless of age or how healthy they are.

A sightless person has enough problems getting around now add in being sick having even a mild pneumonia and again this becomes a major issue.

Young fit in my earlier 20s ( before my eyesight problems began) having pneumonia, just getting out of bed to go to the toilet or to get a drink was hard enough, doing it without sight or in a wheelchair, on one leg, etc... I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

I am not a doctor, I am a former paramedic and have had plenty of interaction with people with disabilities, I have seen firsthand the related medical problems they have due to those disabilities, I am not just going by what the medical community says but also from experience.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

We have athletes triumphing over adversity and people here want to destroy their dreams.

By not wanting them to catch covid.

Shame on them for wanting the super spreader postponed.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It generates little interest in the host country and almost none abroad.

Speak for yourself.

The Paralympics are every bit as exciting and worthy as the Olympics.

Though neither should be held during a pandemic.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

As I mentioned before they are grown adults and able to make their own decisions. They aren’t daft, they know their conditions better than anyone else. If the became ill they won’t be left in a room to fend for themselves. They will have top facilities available and expert help.It’s absurd to believe the organizers don’t put safety first, not just for the care of the competitors but for the integrity of the games.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I don’t even understand why they search so insistently to further stress , hurt and endanger their bodies already having clear deficits or severe health restrictions, and why they so much prefer to be used, extorted and widely displayed by that mafia-like money circus.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

As I mentioned before they are grown adults and able to make their own decisions. They aren’t daft, 

Actually not true and anyone that knows how the Olympics and the sports governing bodies works should know that.

If the athletes refuses to go to Tokyo then they will be penalised by their respective governing body.

Right up to permanent suspension.

The Canadian gymnastics team will not be in Tokyo because they refused to go compete in Rio, We all know what is going on in Brazil and no team member has yet be vaccinated.

The Canadian gymnastics association and government deemed it to high risk.

Results they cannot come to the Olympics.

It is basically a form of blackmail, they can say no but then if they do they will be published.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sven

if you can’t understand the mindset, maybe why you aren’t an Olympic athlete.Rverything is exploited these days, they do if their own free will

Antiquesaving

Nobody is forced to compete. I’m not a fan of the way modern sport is run at all but that’s just how it is. They can compete or not, ultimately it’s their choice. They have pressures from many places and have to make their own decisions. They are adults not children.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

. They have pressures from many places and have to make their own decisions. They are adults not children.

Brave words when it is not you!

I wonder how you would really react if your employer told you to go someplace you found dangerous or do a job you think puts your life at risk, then says not only will you lose your job but you may be permanently barred from ever working in that field again.

Because that is the situation most of these people are in.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And the bottom line after all the posturing is...

The games will go on for the world and I shall be entertained.

No one and nothing should interfere with someone’s ‘entertainment.’

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites