tokyo 2020 olympics

IOC members worry about banning overseas fans from Olympics

60 Comments
By STEPHEN WADE

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60 Comments
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Just cancel the Tokyo Olympics and give Japan the next available slot, like 2012 or 2016. The pandemic should be over by then.

8 ( +25 / -17 )

Anyone still think the Olympics is about sport?

47 ( +49 / -2 )

I don't think many readers here understand the economic devastation that cancelling the Olympics would cause. Remember that it's mostly public money...

-16 ( +15 / -31 )

The overseas fans are more worried about getting refunds from the ‘ketchy’ J-Gov.

There is no need to ban foreign fans. However, those who intend to attend must be vaccinated and have health checks on entry to the country. It is up to the J-Gov and the IOC to make sure these are in place and vaccines are accessible to those who wish to attend.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

Typical C.Y.O.A to allow only theirinvited guests’ and sponsors, at the taxpayer’s continued expense.

They’ve already ‘tested the waters’ Mar 10 with this headline; “Japan to stage Tokyo Olympics without overseas spectators” - Jgov’t has decided to exclude overseas spectators from attending Tokyo Olympics to prevent the spread of coronavirus, officials said Tues.”

-Consensus was ‘NO”, we don’t want it! - So, sorry, No ‘take backs’. NO exceptions!

Well aware @Agent X.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Just cancel the Tokyo Olympics and give Japan the next available slot, like 2012 or 2016. The pandemic should be over by then.

Man, I just want them cancelled for good. This has been a fracking nightmare.

Don’t worry, guests of corporate sponsors will be allowed in. Nothing like giving the finger to the plebeians.

SOP from the SOBs

Anyone still think the Olympics is about sport?

absolutely. the sport of revenue acquisition.

11 ( +19 / -8 )

I think most readers understand that it’s a been a huge cash grab for those connected, the economic devastation was planned happened before the disaster sports week was cancelled. Now the rush is on to squeeze as much money as they can out of tax payer pockets before the disaster is actually (canceled) start.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

I was hoping for some cultural exchange.....

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Who wants to bet that Japan suddenly "loosens" the regulations regarding quarantining for 14 days prior to being able to use transportation or any public facilities before the games too!

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Japan has put a disclaimer regarding the athletes (come at your own risk). That, coupled with no foriehgn fans surely makes the games a non-starter.

As for the taxpayer in Japan, it's not all doom and gloom. A new national stadium, more sporting public facilities along with an improved infrastructure, which in itself is a public investment.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Unless both the Greek and Swedish governments are ready to pay for all the hospitalizations and deaths caused by allowing foreign visitors in for the Japan, I would like them to just shove it!

7 ( +11 / -4 )

"Man, I just want them cancelled for good. This has been a fracking nightmare."

Sure you do. But why are you not saying the same thing about all other sporting events that are happening around the world?

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

Japan needs to just have 1000 more meetings and complete agreement with hanko on hanko then have another 1000 meetings to come to a decision that may be difficult.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

I used to respect IOC and all the Olympic Games’ institution...

Recent polls show up to 80% in Japan think the Olympics should be postponed or canceled. 

You are still on time to listen to the people.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

This is going to end up being nothing but a money grab by the members of the IOC, JOC, and the giant conglomerate sponsors. With no spectators from abroad, the local businesses aren't going to benefit one bit, and the taxpayers will be stuck with the bill. The Olympics are a scam

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Are we going to see a widening rift between the IOC and their Japanese counterparts? As an opponent of the Tokyo bid from the very start, I'm loving this, basking in the schadenfreude.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Sure you do. But why are you not saying the same thing about all other sporting events that are happening around the world?

Because I don't live all around the world. I live in Japan

19 ( +22 / -3 )

If people have enough money to come and pay for tests and quarantine, then so be it. Let them in, they will be negative which makes the event positive

4 ( +9 / -5 )

So much complications, uncertainty and confusion, anybody would think this is about trying to badly force an event to happen in a situation where it should not be even considered possible.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Hey! They are actually using judgment by worrying. Nothing wrong with worrying about things. Sometimes, you have to let go of your pride and face reality; more so in regards to people's health and concerns with having this Olympics drag on for months.

I don't think many readers here understand the economic devastation that cancelling the Olympics would cause. Remember that it's mostly public money...

The IOC is already deep into debt with this and so are the taxpayers. Even if they do have the Olympics, it's not going to be profitable. They will still be in the red.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The first thing that came to my mind was there is no way in the world I would get injected with anything from China. No way.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are (at least) three parties to the game? The IOC, the Government and then the Tokyo aka Yuriko Koike? Yeah, you may say that makes sense. But each of them is playing their own game, instead of unanimously walking the same path? I mean, it's about Olympics, right?

Right now it seems to me, that no decision has been released, but each of them have already decided something. And they didn't agree on that yet.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I assume there would be nothing to stop a Japanese national living abroad from returning to Japan and attending an event.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

“We will understand any decision you are taking,” she said. “But the consequences of that decision might be extremely difficult for a lot of people in the world. Maybe you can take that decision as late as possible.”

That seems unlikely.

It's not unlike Japan to make decisions without consideration for anyone else on Earth.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Anyone still think the Olympics is about sport?

Ask all Russian athletes who were collectively punished for actions of a few.

my unqualified opinion: the Olympics will go ahead, millions will buy tickets, then it will be cancelled because of the “pandemic”. No refunds for the tickets, and the four big US media conglomerates will sue Japan for the loss of their agreed 90% right to profits.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Any shortfall will have to be made up by Japanese government entities.

Nope - any shortfall will be squeezed from Japanese taxpayers in terms of increased taxation and reduced services for a generation. Kiss goodbye to daycare for working mothers, because suddenly there's no money left.

“We will understand any decision you are taking,” she said. “But the consequences of that decision might be extremely difficult for a lot of people in the world. Maybe you can take that decision as late as possible.”

Translation: "nice little country you got here. Be a pity if something should happen to, god forbid, destroy your economy for the next 25 years. Maybe you'd like to speak to my associate who could offer you some advice about what decisions might be sumthin' you could maybe cosider"

6 ( +6 / -0 )

That there is a worldwide pandemic seems to slip by the members of the Olympic committee. IOC member Spyros Capralos, worries about the impacts to foreign tourists banned from attending the Olympic Games. The concern reflects a very shallow understanding, weighing the inconvenience to a few select individuals, while completely neglecting the health and welfare of Japan and its citizens.

Capralos states:  “...the consequences of that decision might be extremely difficult for a lot of people in the world. Many of these people are parents or relatives of the athletes.” The consequences to the population of Japan over-rides the less than necessary attendance of a few, no matter their relationship to the athletes.

The article cites a loss of ticket sales, citing the $800 million expected revenue. 70% of tickets are/were slated for domestic sales. $800 million was expected from ticket sales. 57% of domestic tickets have been purchased. If the entirety is purchased, that is a shortfall of $240 million. Currently, domestic sales amount to approximately 400 million, a shortfall of 400 million. The article purposefully obfuscates the revenue loss. In comparison to the approximately $18 billion cost to Japan, it is miniscule.

Organizers are considering allowing some fans from abroad to attend if they have tickets from sponsors, national Olympic committees, or sports federations. This is honoring a sense of entitlement and privilege to individuals who are corporate stooges or emissaries from on high. The ban should apply to any and all. Be they street sweepers or heads of state.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

“Many of these people are parents or relatives of the athletes.”

I'm anticipating that they'll make an exception that every athlete is aloud one family member to attend, with special consideration given to mother's, so the fan base will look just like your typical Japanese school event with 90% mothers in attendance.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The comments from the Swedish representative to the IOC are amusing. Sweden with a total population less than Osaka has mismanaged the covid response and it has been an ongoing and continuing disaster.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Let’s ALL remember this guy later when ‘backpedaling’ begins:

John Coates, the IOC who oversees Tokyo preparations, said ticket refunds were a “given."

Oh, but wait! There’s a ‘caveat’ amended to his ‘quote’ *: “ -* if needed - ” .

Meaning: “your continued ‘donation’ to the IOC graciously accepted and appreciated.”*

(May be ‘tax deductible’; consult your accountant)*

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If I were a foreign athlete I wouldn't be too please with the even bigger home advantage, on top of other restrictions imposed.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

bo- I agree- what's so hard about requiring a vaccine or quarantine of non-residents? Logic and science seems to have gone out the window a long time ago.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

IOC can worry all they want. The Nippon Kaigi crowd call the shots here.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

"Just cancel the Tokyo Olympics and give Japan the next available slot, like 2012 or 2016."

2012? That will be very difficult.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

No one has a crystal ball. I am vaccinated - but who knows what variant will come by July. Safest for Japan not to let anyone without proof of vaccination inside for Japan’s safety.

What if a new variant comes? Attendees from abroad should sign a paper that they made their decision to enter and only they are responsible if they catch a new variant. And to get travel insurance for hospitalization.

When will vaccines roll out for Japan to protect themselves from everyone coming in?

Tampa Florida just held their Super Bowl - not to full capacity. It’s been over a month and we have not heard of a surge. So maybe in the summer because of open air the capacity should only be 30% in stadiums.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Man, I just want them cancelled for good. This has been a fracking nightmare."

luckily, it’s not up to you

"Just cancel the Tokyo Olympics and give Japan the next available slot, like 2012 or 2016."

I agree, if you mean 2024

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

IOC can stop worrying if Olympic Games were to be changed to Tokyo Games.

IOC can just look forward confidently to the next Olympics in 2024.

How about that?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There is a worry for every single potential situation with the Olympics. What more proof do they need that it should just be canceled?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

My view is, not many of us residents will be anywhere near getting the vaccine by July.  Yes the elderly start in April, but so far our Prefecture has only been allocated 1000 doses so far.

I fear if the Olympics are not delayed, we could end up with a legacy of a Tokyo mutation of Covid. I hope I’m wrong.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

tooheysnew

"Man, I just want them cancelled for good. This has been a fracking nightmare."

luckily, it’s not up to you

I could say the same to you. And by the looks of it, many countries may not end up participating anyway- so there you go.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The decision makers are venal and self-serving. If the good people living in this country have any sense they will do the right thing and boycott these games.

I have always been greatly opposed to Tokyo staging the Olympics, believing that dealing with the aftermath of Fukushima should have taken priority. Now, ten years on and with thousands of people still displaced and in turmoil, it is clear that those in power do not share my sentiments. Yes, of course governments will always blab on about what these big events do for the economy but it is never the man in the street who benefits. Never.

One thing is certain, the Olympics won't be getting a second of airtime in my home.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

One thing is certain, the Olympics won't be getting a second of airtime in my home.

I'll second that

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

One thing is certain, the Olympics won't be getting a second of airtime in my home.

I’ll take that bet !

3 ( +5 / -2 )

One thing is certain, the Olympics won't be getting a second of airtime in my home.

I’ll take that bet !

And lose it!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Will a parent be allowed in if they are half-Japanese? Just half of them? What about Naomi Osaka's Dad? We know the Japanese side of the family would be allowed in no questions asked, which is why it's blatant racism.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nagoya Chris and Aly Rustom

And what are you going to do if your wife or children want to watch a bit of the Olympics on TV? Send them to their rooms and tell them they can't?

I think both of you will be a little curious to see what an Olympics with very few, if any, spectators, will look like, especially the opening ceremony. I know I'll be interested to see how it will look.

Also, Japan bashers won't be able to resist watching the opening ceremony, just so they can rant about it on the Japan Today discussion board.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

No Olympics, no problem.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@smartacus I live alone.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And what are you going to do if your wife or children want to watch a bit of the Olympics on TV? Send them to their rooms and tell them they can't?

My wife complains about the Olympics more than I do and wants them canceled.

My kids Are 5 and 2. They don’t care about the Olympics.

I think both of you will be a little curious to see what an Olympics with very few, if any, spectators, will look like, especially the opening ceremony. I know I'll be interested to see how it will look.

You will. We won’t.

Also, Japan bashers won't be able to resist watching the opening ceremony, just so they can rant about it on the Japan Today discussion board.

Funny how you mention that we are Japan bashers and at the same time acknowledge that our wives and children are Japanese.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

800 million in ticket sales, to offset the cost of approximately $18 billion. Which is a purposeful obfuscation, as 70% of tickets are for domestic sales. 7.8 million tickets. 4.45 million have been purchased in Japan. That is 80% of the available tickets slated for Japan. The potential loss is 240 million, not 800 million.

It has been projected based on the availability of tickets and the potential buyers, that the entire 800 million will be easily sold.

That still leaves a $17.2 billion cost, which has absolutely no offset from attendance.

It is projected that the 'consumer experience' can/will benefit from what is being tabbed as digital consumption, due to the pandemic and the available media architectures that can deliver the product aka Olympics. Digital technologies can create an enhanced home viewing of The Games and generate immense profit for those entities that exploit those technologies.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@gokai_wo_maneku

give Japan the next available slot, like 2012 or 2016. 

Huh, this is 2021 and 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics already took place.

If you are talking about 2022, that's a non-starter since there are already two mega events behind held in 2022, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and 2022 Qatar World Cup.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No Olympic Games in Tokyo before we Tokyo residents all get vaccinated.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I cant understand these comments here. Im not sure if I should laugh or cry...

Japan HAS managed this pandemic better than most countries in the world WITHOUT total lockdowns. And I know it's not possible to set a lockdown by law in Japan.

And before anyone attcks me...the Republic of Ireland has double the amount of cases comparded to Tokyo, however in Ireland live around 5mio in total while in tokyo around 40mio. Here in Ireland all shops like clothes and flowers are closed, bars and restaurants are closed (except take away), barbers and hairdressers are closed.

so instead of bashing Japan for MAYBE not letting oversea visitors entering Japan, you may want to see it from JAPANs point of view. Thanks

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Nobody is 'bashing' Japan, as you put it.

Learn to understand that people are allowed to vent their criticism, concerns and frustrations without it being an attack on an entire nation.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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