tokyo 2020 olympics

Tokyo marks 1 month until pandemic-hit Olympics open

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Official theme song of the 2020/2021 games: Megadeth, “Countdown to extinction”.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the committee, said at a press conference. "If the Japanese people have even a slight sense of worry, then we must give up.

Isn't this the exact opposite of what is happening?

A small clique of individuals who are benefiting from the games are pushing it forward despite all the protestations and please from medical experts and the public?

23 ( +25 / -2 )

*pleas from medical experts and the public.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I will not drink to that.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

dagonToday  04:30 pm JST

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the committee, said at a press conference. "If the Japanese people have even a slight sense of worry, then we must give up.

Isn't this the exact opposite of what is happening?

I’m guessing it was a translation issue and what she actually said was 日本の国民達が悩んでいるなら。。。まあ、どうでもいいね

14 ( +15 / -1 )

And the big question is can the next wave be stopped before then (by more reduced testing?) or will the delta variant unleash itself before then? The virus is not going away that is for certain with hundreds of case found with even the most minimal and restricted testing on the planet. We can only sit back and watch what will happen. My money is on the next wave happening just after or during the Olympics but before the Paralympics which may need those to be cancelled but we will see

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I’m guessing it was a translation issue and what she actually said was 日本の国民達が悩んでいるなら。。。まあ、どうでもいいね

At least that was her internal dialogue.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

"If the Japanese people have even a slight sense of worry, then we must give up."

Okay that is clear.

So give up!

14 ( +16 / -2 )

and today Tokyo reported 619 - the trend is starting to go back up.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

If anyone tests positive for COVID-19, the guidelines say the date of the infected person's attendance and their seat number will be listed on the Tokyo Games official website and posted on social media.

So....the onus will be on the 10,000 people who shared the space with someone who tested positive, to keep a daily check on the Internet and isolate themselves?

Fat chance. We're taking about folk who see no problem in travelling across country to pack themselves into a stadium in the middle of a pandemic. They aren't going to be logging on to the Olympic website every day to check they haven't got Covid.

Why not require all spectators to register, via an app or whatever, so that tracking and tracing becomes automatic and instant?

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Tokyo today 619 cases . Perhaps the delta variant is going to win the battle of the low testing earlier than I expected

10 ( +10 / -0 )

So excited!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

cleoToday  05:08 pm JST

If anyone tests positive for COVID-19, the guidelines say the date of the infected person's attendance and their seat number will be listed on the Tokyo Games official website and posted on social media.

So....the onus will be on the 10,000 people who shared the space with someone who tested positive, to keep a daily check on the Internet and isolate themselves?

Fat chance. We're taking about folk who see no problem in travelling across country to pack themselves into a stadium in the middle of a pandemic. They aren't going to be logging on to the Olympic website every day to check they haven't got Covid.

Why not require all spectators to register, via an app or whatever, so that tracking and tracing becomes automatic and instant?

Spectators are already registered, much more than any other event held in Japan. Each ticket literally has the name of the individual who is using it, not just the person that paid for it.

Happy with that?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the committee, said at a press conference. "If the Japanese people have even a slight sense of worry, then we must give up.

I have been taken for a fool before but this is record breaking.

She's soldiering on, whatever happens and no BS statement is too big for her. She can come in front of the press and utter the biggest possible lies with hardly any inquisitive questions.

Damn incredible!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Surely, those attending must be fully vaccinated?

That would be the criteria....wouldn’t it?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

London 2012 Olympics clock strikes zero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSF7idVbn5E

That photo brings back emotional memories, I never went to any of the events. I could not afford it.

How times have changed.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Spectators are already registered, much more than any other event held in Japan. Each ticket literally has the name of the individual who is using it, not just the person that paid for it.

Happy with that?

Not really. Having your name on your ticket doesn't tell the authorities how to get in touch with you to tell you to get a test/self-isolate because you've been in contact with someone who tested positive. (Even if each event is limited to just one Suzuki-san, one Sato-san, one Yamamoto-san....)

If each individual can be contacted, what's the point of putting the date of attendance and seat number of an infected person on a website that these people are unlikely to check?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Very good, so you still have 30 days to switch on your brains and cancel that virus super spreading event. And I would recommend that you search your switch very quickly.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Very excite times now as relayed by that photo!

Good luck Tokyo!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Not much has really changed since Tokyo marks six months to the start of the Olympics

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Foreign athletes, staff, delegates and media crew can still make a choice at will. Tokyo never force their participation (North Korea has already boycotted it, which is granted). Those powerful foreign representatives can exert influences on the course and decision-making process.

Otherwise, stop contradiction and hypocrisy, by teasing/blaming the Games on the one hand, and sending their national teams, promoting their Olympic-featured programs on the other. Enough is enough. If IOC is labeled primary hijacker holding the Japanese public hostage, they are terrible collaborateurs and accomplice.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

"In order to prevent the spread of the virus, athletes will be kept in a "bubble" and will not be allowed to interact with locals or visit places outside of their venues or accommodation."

Um, except this isn't really true now, is it. The athletes will interact with local staff members (from anything to guides and translators to tech&media people to drivers, cleaners and cooks) and volunteers, who then again will travel between their homes and the venues on a daily basis, and who will interact with their families etc.

It would only be a bubble in the case that also the staff & the volunteers would be required to live in this bubble.

In addition, apparently the Ugandan team has already been taken to some shopping and sightseeing in the village/city they're training at...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The relatively small contingent Ugandan team is now facing many issues: isolated, ‘on their own’, without a coach, etc. The J news is only focused on members testing positive and we’re seeing none of the ‘heart-warming stories like the “Welcoming” the Australian teams received last week. *Where is the equal media coverage of the promised IOCLDPJOC demonstrations of “Olympic spirit” and the much-lauded Japanese “Omotenashi” for these Uganda “guests”**??*

2 ( +4 / -2 )

A count down to a something billion sporting festival that will define the very essence of a global sporting master class of track/ field events, swimming throwing god knows what at any thing that moves,

Beach volleyball, Dad frothing at the mouth, call an ambulance, shooting, archery, if have missed something out, forgive me

My cousins continuously dribbling when the women divers take a shower between climbing and diving. Giving marks of of ten for the cut of costume.

Change is needed. The time is now.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

cleoToday  06:32 pm JST

Spectators are already registered, much more than any other event held in Japan. Each ticket literally has the name of the individual who is using it, not just the person that paid for it.

Happy with that?

Not really. Having your name on your ticket doesn't tell the authorities how to get in touch with you to tell you to get a test/self-isolate because you've been in contact with someone who tested positive. (Even if each event is limited to just one Suzuki-san, one Sato-san, one Yamamoto-san....)

If each individual can be contacted, what's the point of putting the date of attendance and seat number of an infected person on a website that these people are unlikely to check?

They have full contact details of the ticket purchaser as they are to be posted to them. Also full names are on the tickets for them to be valid. ID can be used to confirm person if needed.

Happy now?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Seiko Hashimoto, without any scientific evidence, claims there have been no clusters at other events or tournaments. Any of those tournaments with 11,000 athletes and 100,000 plus staff and attendants? With individuals from all over the planet? She simply offers an opinion. And is content to be a functionary.

50% or 10,000. Essentially, every other seat will be occupied. Not even close to social distancing. It is completely ad hoc and haphazard.

With the HOPE, all goes well. That is not a plan. It follows absolutely no science or medical prerogative.

And. Today. Infections are on the rise in Tokyo. Just wait until August 21st, when numbers begin to spike in Japan. And the Olympic variance virus travels the world. I told you so, will ring hollow as the tragedy unfolds. An epic failure awaits the LDP and IOC and JOC and TOC.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The global community, the IOC, The government of China, oh yes, must contribute....

The Government, the people of Japan must not be left footing the bill, step up and contribute.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If this is truly a global sporting festival, then share the financial, and ultimately the risk of contagion.

The Government of China must without political fear or favor halve the costs.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Naw, I'll pass, when they get science and politics out of the Olympics I'll watch, until then, good luck to the fake games.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the committee, said at a press conference. "If the Japanese people have even a slight sense of worry, then we must give up.

Seems somebody has there head in the sand.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Any spectator MUST be fully vaccinated AND show a negative test at entry , no exceptions.. that’s the only way this should even be attempted…

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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