tokyo 2020 olympics

Tokyo Olympic organizers, IOC clash over who will pay for delay

60 Comments
By STEPHEN WADE

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60 Comments
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Uh oh.... this is a very big debate at a very big cost

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The Olympics! What a complete waste of taxpayers money.

38 ( +40 / -2 )

This is an easy one. Make China pay for it.

11 ( +27 / -16 )

Japan is officially spending $12.6 billion to organize the Olympics, .....

of which about $25 billion has already been spent!

31 ( +32 / -1 )

Sorry, but after this, any Country that accepts to host the Olympic must be crazy.

32 ( +35 / -3 )

All of that money just to see who can run the fastest, swim the strongest, and jump the highest among other non trivial activities..

if I asked you who got gold in the 1976 100 m sprint; you wouldn’t have an idea without googling it... then after googling, it would be just a “ah” moment, you might remember his name for some days but then would soon forget... asked the same question some time later you’d say “ oh, I know this one but I forgot’”.

it’s meaningless to spends so much money like this on stupid sports that no one is going to remember who you are in the future......

This is enough money money to house the homeless in Japan, send the needy to college, help people who need help.... but what does society do....”Sorry, we need to see who can run the fastest. It’s so exciting to know this.” Not just Japan, this is all societies!!!

26 ( +28 / -2 )

Okay, let's cancel then. Since both sides don't want to play game by paying for the extra cost after they have agreed to postpone it, let's cancel the whole damn thing.

30 ( +32 / -2 )

Japan isn't going to have a yen to its name after COVID-19. Good luck figuring this out.

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Send all invoices to Beijing.

9 ( +20 / -11 )

I agree 100% all bills should go to China. They created this mess by one of their researchers in 2015 who made the connection and identification of the single bat species who carries the natural strain and the S gnome linking the transfer to human and thus starts human to human transfers against the advice and reprisal of the scientific communities. So send this and all other bills to the UN and Beijing.

3 ( +16 / -13 )

Cancel them. Complete waste of money anyways.

23 ( +25 / -2 )

Still talking about 2021???

Good luck getting the volunteers (salves) you need run the whole thing. Can't see anybody going near Tokyo for those pointless "orientations"organisers were running.

And this is just ONE of a myriad of issues facing the Olympics. There is simply NO WAY "Tokyo 2020" in 2021 is going to happen.

Just put the whole damned fiasco off until 2024, after this pandemic has had plenty of time to run its course and society has regained "some" sense of normality. I can guarantee getting Paris to agree to 2028 won't be an issue.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

noriahojanen

Send all invoices to Beijing.

spot on.... yes..China has to pay..They created the mess

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Umm, perhaps Abe and his cabinet of ministers should instead focus on the fact that people are dying on the streets of Tokyo from covid: "Among them was a man in his sixties who was found lying on a street in the capital."

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200421_35/

11 ( +12 / -1 )

The ones who wanted it in the first place - Abe and Ishihara (is he still alive?).

14 ( +14 / -0 )

"We are not commenting on speculation," Takaya said. "The new dates are already set. The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and all stakeholders are now dedicating themselves to this new date."

Like everyone was committed to this year?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Experts predict 2021 will be the peak for the virus in third world countries and peak of the second wave in developed countries.

Although 2022 seems the most sensible, I’m starting to agree with the above poster and cancel it and have the next one in 2024.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

The shadenfreude is simply delicious. PS. Tohoku is still reeling from the after effects of the quake.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

IOC showing its true colors (GREEN). Send the bills to China, cancel the Games, kick the IOC out of Japan and focus on repairing the country.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

I agree 100% all bills should go to China. They created this mess by one of their researchers in 2015 who made the connection and identification of the single bat species who carries the natural strain and the S gnome linking the transfer to human and thus starts human to human transfers against the advice and reprisal of the scientific communities. So send this and all other bills to the UN and Beijing.

If such a virus had started in the US or Japan then people would have been so sympathetic with them! They would have been called the victims. But since it’s China some people are bashing them ( racism at its best ). Yes, the virus originated in China ( whether naturally or man made ) is besides the point because all countries could have closed their borders to China to avoid the spread. But they kept it open to make money from Chinese tourists! Let’s face the facts that nobody can ignore the Chinese and the economies of many countries can’t survive without the Chinese!

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

IOC must be having a contract which stipulates who will shoulder the costs in case of postponements! It’s probably Japan but they want to hide the fact from the general public.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Number one. The olympics is just another money making machine for the rich and entrenched, and is used to stir up nationalism, e.g. I got more medals than you so that makes my country better. Number two. Abe never should have bid on the olympics when at the time, there were close to 100,000 people living in temporary housing and the nuke clean up was and is nowhere near completion. Now the chickens have come home to roost. Number three. There is no way the world is going to be in a celebratory mood next summer to have the olympics. The modern nations are feeling the wrath of this virus now, next will be the poorer countries and the refugee camps; probably in a few months. Who thinks that you can have the games if the delegations from Africa can't attend? The world will still be trying to put the economy back together and adjusting to the new norms in life and business. So, cut your losses Abe, and cancel the damn thing. The more this drags out, the more it's going to cost. If he signed the contract with Section 68, then he should be fired, and the entire government; elected officials and the bureacrats need to take a substantial cut in income because we are all going to have to pay for this fine mess.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

It seems to me Tokyo Olympics would be cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. The stubborn virus would not be gone next year, still maybe in Africa, Middle East countries, somewhere. All any international games could not be played next year. So Japan and IOC forget such money who pays.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Just out of interest, What's to be paid for between now and when it's held next ?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If there is something other than lining the pockets of the IoC , then maybe if costs spiral out of control we should cancel the Olympics altogether this time around ?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Cancel them. Complete waste of money anyways

Groovy, now let's grab all 14,000 Olympians together with their families and put you on the the mic to deliver the message about cancelling the Olympics and each members' worthlessness.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

@Tora - ‘the whole damn fiasco off until 2024’

this has always been the best option, Even then many countries economy’s will not have recovered by then

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Let's wait for the second wave. Just heard the 1918 Spanish flu's second wave might've killed ten times as many Sunday Service the first.

Don't send out the bill yet.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

China needs to pay for it, as they do for every other catastrophe their virus has caused.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Who is going to pay when it's canceled next year?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

 Tohoku is still reeling from the after effects of the quake.

Thank you for remembering us. The Olympics have done nothing for Tohoku except drain needed resources.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Just out of interest, What's to be paid for between now and when it's held next ?

5 star hotels, business class flights, prime real estate offices, expense accounts, salaries and bonuses, and goodwill “gifts”.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

As far as I am concerned Olympic games died when they changed from amature to professional.

I lost all interest...

Japan sooooo wanted this games and now they got more than they bargained for. It was a disaster from the start, the logo problem then the cost of the stadium, then locations of events such as moving maraton to Hokkaido, the ever spiraling cost, and finally the virus.... The last straw that broke the camel's back?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Japanese taxpayers shouldn't be paying for this.

Now you know full well the GOJ will pass the loss to the people, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the GOJ wants to pass their screwups on to the people. What was Abe’s main priority? When can the games resume? I have been saying for years, Tokyo should have been given the Olympics, largest and most expensive city in the world congested, overcrowded just wasn’t practical. It would have made better sense to at least hold the games in smaller and less congested prefecture like Kyushu, easier access, cheaper, easier to move around, navigate, but here we are, just don’t be surprised when we all get punished for these people mistakes. If the Japanese public would rise up in massive numbers and protest this nonsense and push these officials around, a lot of this crap would never have happened, the people need to be more proactive when it comes to their government, not saying anything always leads to a disaster sooner or later.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The Olympics - bringing people together!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan sooooo wanted this games and now they got more than they bargained for. It was a disaster from the start, the logo problem then the cost of the stadium, then locations of events such as moving maraton to Hokkaido, the ever spiraling cost, and finally the virus.... The last straw that broke the camel's back?

There were several other problems too. The problem is they are far too reactive to problems instead of proactive. They wait until the last minute for everything. Like the virus for example. Now it’s getting out of control.

There is absolutely a clause about who pays in event of natural disaster, man made disaster or act of god. The government should have immediately taken action and raised this concern in the beginning but they were trying to be greedy and keep the Olympics going. Now it’s too late.

Its all about money. It always has been. The government taxes the hell out of the people and keeps their pockets fat. Change is coming. The people need to start voicing their thoughts and asking why and holding officials accountable and not bow their heads and ignore what’s going on around them. It only empowers those who are taking advantage of their positions of power.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Why shouldn’t the people in Tokyo pay for it?

It is the Tokyo Olympics not the Japan Olympics!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Olympiad became more and more private association for profits since it started at 20th century. Tokyo won the Olympic games venue (2nd time) that was to be held 2020 and postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic. Next year probably another postponement will happen, I don't know what is the contract of IOC and the site city chosen (politically the nation involved) and I don't know what is the invoices from IOC to Japan, knowing Japan has the most losses at home. Their wages? JOC to Keep away Abe not to be involved next meetings he has failed with mess and complication the last one. Olympic Games became more casino and far away of world sports event for symbolizing peace.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We should just roll back and move everything 4 years forward - many will be broke - lose jobs, waiting for vaccine - who wants to go without a vaccine?!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Who is going to pay?

I may not be top of the class but even I know the answer to this easy question..

Answer: The Japanese tax payer will pay.

Do I win a prize?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Both the IOC and host country Japan will have to initially bear the cost. But ultimately China should pay. Neither IOC or host country wanted a delay. It was caused by the pandemic. A pandemic that was not declared by WHO catering to China. China new wht was happening in Wuhan from late Nov 2019. They silenced and prosectuted doctors who raised the read flag in early Dec 2019. They let thousands of Chinese tourists visit all over during Lunar New Years, And now they have the cojones to blame "the west" for the coronavirus and are selling masks, test kits, etc to other suffering nations.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3080786/coronavirus-us-university-stops-using-chinese

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Lots of people, including the headline writer, are missing the point. The Japan side IS responsible, as stated in the contract it signed. Read the article more carefully. However, the issue is that the Japanese government doesn't want its responsibility publicized (for political reasons).

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I think Trump should be the one who has to pay. It is all his fault, after all.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Any and all of the corporations that were going to make loads of money off advertising during the olympics.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Olympics should never be for profit.

The spirit of the olympics is to participate if possible.

By the way, it is a financial mess because it is made so it can can happen during 15 days only to sell at very high price to companies in power for advertisement.

Make it non for profit event, happening all over one year, on standard stadium and venues.

This way, all cost could be borne by reinsurers I am sure. And by the way, all attending country should pay their share, like if going to restaurant with a bunch of friends.

I wish there would have been not postponement because maybe human race will have to live with more or less agressive viruses forever. Better to adapt and watch simply over the year on TV then spending taxpayer money.

I remember paying my Fukushima tax while working in Japan...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Great, the country is already drowning in debt, the economy is in freefall, shops are closing and unemployment is rising and it looks like we're about to experience a major wave of Coronavirus cases.

So yeah, lets throw hundreds of billions of more Yen into an Olympic games that nobody cares about anymore and might not even be able to be held anyway.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

As WallaceFred said there is a fair bit of schadenfreude about this.

Tokyo bid for the 2016 games as well and lost mainly to the IOC saying Tokyo’s bid lacked local support. Indeed about 60% of Tokyoites were against hosting the games.

Then along come the big Japanese companies like Dentsu and Taisei who realize there is a fortune to be made if Tokyo hosts them. They start lobbying the media and government to drum up support and suddenly wants to bid again for the 2020 games.

We have the ‘bribery’ scandal which was when a million dollars was given to some organization in Africa to get their vote for Tokyo. The stadium design was changed ostensibly because it was too expensive and the new contract was given to an LDP supporter,the logo scandal,Abe’s infamous ‘Fukushima is under control’ speech and then Tokyo pretending Japan didn’t have a Corona problem in order to not have the games postponed.

What a poisoned chalice they have turned out to be for the citizens who really didn’t want them in the first place.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

In the great scheme of things, the Olympics are not important. They are not going to happen next year, it’s over. Cancel now, put the money you have into fighting the virus and supporting businesses and individuals.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The IOC should pay for the delay. They can just reach into their multi-billion dollar war chest; that is, if it hasn’t already been completely looted by their corrupt leadership.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Screw the IOC. They are a part of the extractive capitalism that is killing us all.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

spot on.... yes..China has to pay..They created the mess

since when was the WHO China or UN responsible for other countries responses, countries that acted quickly are now reaping the benefits of their actions, countries that down played and took too long to act are now paying for it. Doesn't matter where this virus originated , Africa China Asia South America,

Pandemics have been around since the the beginning of civilizations, we now have the science to predict how these pandemics may occur yet still some refused to listen and weren't prepared for what was to come before it was too late. Lets hope they learn from it now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I would love to know what is the total bill so far for hosting the Olympics. Although it looks like the Olympics will be held next year, what will that cost be? I wonder if Japan will ever see a financial gain from hosting the games, and will it put other countries off wanting to host them in the future?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If postponement costs are so massive, then just cancel it. Sports are just a frill for human existence as it is. Unnecessary and waste a lot of people's time.There are better things in life like, family, studying and taking care of the earth.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

the organizing committee asked the Switzerland-based International Olympic Committee to remove a comment from its website suggesting that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed that Japan would shoulder most of the postponement costs.

Abe trying to whitewash facts yet again. Or is this Abe's pretext to try and break another international agreement?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wobot, people do pay to hold the Olympics. Tokyo has paid billions they will never get back.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think (if put to a public vote) most people in Japan would prefer to cancel, and put THEIR tax money into increased COVID testing, medical research toward a vaccine, hospital infrastructure and PPE, and income support for people in trouble right now.

This is no time for GAMES!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am losing a lot of money canceling but my life is worth more than forcing myself to go.

Not only some hotels should refund but should everyone should refund.

It is best to move the Olympics 2-3 years out. It is not worth for attendees to risk their lives nor for Japan to get contaminated by who knows can contaminate. There is no crystal ball when we will have a safe vaccine. I personally will only travel after the safe vaccine. I do not want to spend time anywhere to be quarantined at my expense for 14 days anywhere.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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