tokyo 2020 olympics

Why are Olympics going on despite public opposition, medical warnings?

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By STEPHEN WADE

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Let's see how this mess unfolds. It's gonna be horrific.

35 ( +38 / -3 )

Why are Olympics going on despite public opposition, medical warnings?

Pure ignorance and greed (Japanese Government and IOC).

35 ( +38 / -3 )

IOCLDPJOC Greed, that’s why!

21 ( +24 / -3 )

Pulling out of it now will only confirm the huge losses made, but carrying on you can still cling to the hope of winning big and taking it all back.

The only one "winning" is those who profit ¥ from this disaster. How does the general population benefit? How does the single mother of 3 children that lost her job during the pandemic benefit?

20 ( +24 / -4 )

Why are Olympics going on despite public opposition, medical warnings?

Money

29 ( +30 / -1 )

So in one sentence the reason is that the government can do as it pleases so it holds economic gains of a few above the safety of the population in general.

23 ( +24 / -1 )

It did not have to be this way.

If PM Suga, and his lot were not so arrogant and greedy. If they actually cared about Japan and the commitment it made when it accepted the Olympic bid, they would have followed the UK and the USA and started the vaccinations back in February.

It seems the delay was meant to make it as difficult as possible for Tokyo Mayor Koike to succeed and if the Olympics did occur that they would be the worst Olympics in recent memory.

It's a little sad that these 100 or so men can wield so much power and turn what should have been a joyous event into a national embarrassment.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Reminds me the end of the WW2, letting the population die instead of stoping the madness.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

Money and japans absolute lack of concern for anything but the former. One good thing I guess is that now the world is seeing past the illusion that japan has worked so hard to uphold since the 70s. Clean on the outside, dirty on the inside.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Public sentiment in Japan has been generally opposed to holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, partly based on fears the coronavirus will spike as almost 100,000 people — athletes and others — enter for both events.

The latest polls have revealed equivocal, ambivalent results with increasing supportive replies:

Yomiuri Shimbun (published on June 7th) : 51% for the Games, 48% against.

NHK (conducted on 11-13 of June) : 64% for the Games, 31% against.

The second-largest selling newspaper in Japan, the Asahi Shimbun, has called for the Olympics to be canceled. 

Asahi has since never quit a primary partner for the Olympics. The outlet and its affiliate TV broadcaster are now overtly promoting the upcoming Games stirring public excitement. Shameless and hypocrite!

 How have the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga been able to bypass strong opposition?

Tokyo is the host city, not the central government under Suga who has no authority over the IOC decision (the Japanese government is not even a contract party). It's thus irrelevant to demand Suga for cancelation.

However people can request max protection for public health through the speedy rollout and other anti-virus measures.

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

I think for once we can’t blame completely blame the government though, despite all the other messes they’ve made. It’s the IOC who could’ve cancelled this. From what I’ve heard, the host country doesn’t actually have the power to cancel after the contract they sign. Blame ‘Dick’ Pound. Dick by name, dick by….

You know what I’m saying.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Greed of IOC and a weak Suga.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

I used to enjoy watching the Olympics, but this blatant cash grab by the IOC and Japanese politicians was really soured me against it. Remember not to tune in when they broadcast it. That's where they will get most of their revenue from.

I don't think I'll be able to watch in the future, considering how terribly they've treated their host city and their lack of concern for the general public's health and safety. If I watched, I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it and getting angry. How sad that another fun thing has been ruined.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

$$$$$$$$..................THAT IS IT! People of the world be DAMNED!

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Why are Olympics going on despite public opposition, medical warnings?

Greed.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

This is no mystery at all. Anyone who knows anything about the IOC (and similar originations such as FIFA) knows that those involved only care about profits for a very small group of people.

It's funny that during an event that supports flag-waving nationalism in a country run by a nationalist government, the actual hosting nation seems to matter very little.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

@noriahojanen

About polls, there's only one neutral way to ask the question. Well, if you want to know the population feeling.

That is: do you think that the Games should be held, cancelled or postponed?

I understand that the Yomiuri poll asked whether people thought the Games would be held and that the NHK one did not propose the postponement option.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This pandemic has highlighted the existing disparities and corruption in society, which is perhaps the only thing positive we can say about this scourge. The corrupt olympics is the pinnacle of the "business as usual" mentality that doesn't want to learn what this pandemic has taught us in such stark terms. Good luck Japan, you made your bed...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The article is too long,I give you a short and real answer,money.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

As long as Japanese nationals do nothing on the streets of Tokyo, the Japan Olympics will go on.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Infection rates in Tokyo are considered only moderate by world standards. Currently there have been 27 million doses delivered to date and 500 thousand per day. Vaccinations combined with acquired immunity will probably equate to a 70% immunity rate by the end of July. 70% is the threshold of herd immunity. Certainly every athlete and foreigner supporting the games will have been vaccinated long ago. By the time the Olympics start Covid-19 will be a moot concern and the government knows it. That is why the games will continue.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

Suga could have, and probably should have closed the borders. It would have forced the IOC to cancel the games if the athletes cannot attend.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Here’s the answer. It’s hardly rocket science.

And there are billions at stake. Japan has officially spent $15.4 billion but government audits suggest it’s twice that much. Japanese advertising giant Dentsu Inc., a key player in landing the corruption-tainted bid in 2013, has raised more than $3 billion from local sponsors.

Estimates suggest a cancellation could cost the IOC $3 billion-$4 billion in lost broadcast rights income. Broadcast income and sponsors account for 91% of the IOC income, and American network NBCUniversal provides about 40% of the IOC's total income.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Q: Why are Olympics going on despite public opposition, medical warnings?

A: MONEY MONEY MONEY MOOOONEEEY………….MOONEEY!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

They were awarded with the promise that they would be good for Tohoku. Well, I live in Tohoku and can't think of a single benefit. Not for Tohoku, or anyone really, except those at the top that are able to make their money grab.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Money is obviously a huge factor, but also the athletes themselves. Following the 1980 (Western) Boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, many athletes fell into depression and committed suicide. They had been training their entire lives to compete at the Olympics. Neither the IOC or the Japanese Olympic committee or the J-Gov wants to make the call. Further more, many national athletic bodies said they weren't coming in 2020, but not a single one has said they aren't coming in 2021. If the athletes want to compete, let them.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I don't understand why they don't put them off until next year. This year is already a loss, every medal will have a question mark on it. We won't see the best of what humanity has to offer this time, we'll see the best of what the world was able to piece together in the midst of a pandemic.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I don't understand why they don't put them off until next year.

I assume it has something to do with the condo owners wanting to move into their (Athletes' Village) condos and repeating the same legal nightmare that was involved in postponing the games already. It might also have something to do with 2022 World Championships already scheduled and the Olmpics in Beijing as they don't want to have two Olympics (Summer and Winter) in the same year (although thats what they used to do).

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@noriahojanen

You forgot to mention that both pool have people thinking along the line the safety measure for games are not satisfying in the 60%. and did not bother posting links :

https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/yoron-chosa/20210606-OYT1T50178/

(did not find direct link for NHK :) https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/suzukiyuji/20210615-00243168/

Cleo went through the trouble to explaining the content of the article : https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-to-lift-virus-emergency-one-month-before-olympics#comment-2501366

@Pim

About polls, there's only one neutral way to ask the question. Well, if you want to know the population feeling.

That is: do you think that the Games should be held, cancelled or postponed?

I disagree. I think we need at least 2 questions, the first one being a scale one :

the first one about their feeling about the Olympics as planned, something along the line of : About the prospect of the Olympics and Paralympics being held this year from ..... :

You totally agree / You agree / You somewhat agree / You do not care / You somewhat disagree / You disagree / You totally disagree / No answer

the second one about why, open question if possible, if not a wide range of choice to pick up from

After, you can go for interview so that people can explain themselves and so on

0 ( +1 / -1 )

 the party likely feels safe because a majority of the public doubts the capability of the opposition to govern.

Not anymore the majority now knows the LDP do not have the capability to govern.

LDP gets a Hell No Vote from my Family and I will be suggesting everybody I know to vote NO to LDP.

I don't care who gets in as long as it isn't LDP. I think a Coalition Government excluding LDP and the religious party Komeito would have a better shot of running the country. Than the incompetent Fools we have in now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Interesting 180 turn @OlympicSupport 7:13am. Why the sudden dissent from having the Games that was being so heavily touted prior the Jun 15?

- “The only “winning" is those who profit ¥ from this disaster.

More puzzling, why the change of ‘heart’?

- “How does the gen’l popul. benefit? How does the sing. mo. of 3 chn that lost her job during the pandemic benefit?” -

Is this sincere?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Pandemics typically don't have multiple, effective, vaccines.

The photo is of the FINA Diving World Cup held in Tokyo last month. It was the last qualifying event for countries to get into the Olympics if they weren't already qualified. During the entire event, 1 case of COVID was discovered - at the airport. None were found in daily testing by any of the athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, the rest of the time for the event. When it was held, few of the people involved were fully vaccinated, yet, the processes were followed and were effective. Mainly the pre-screening requirements for tests prior-to and immediately on arrival did the work.

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/olympics-organisers-hail-diving-world-cup-after-anti-covid-measures

As previously announced, only one positive Covid-19 case was found, in a team official upon arrival in Japan. The person was quarantined immediately and no close contacts were identified by Japanese authorities, the statement said.

Overall there were 438 participants, including athletes, coaches and team officials, it said.

Too many Chicken Littles in Japan. The sky isn't falling. By the time of the Olympics, I would expect all Chinese, American, Canadian, Chilean, European, Indian, and many other teams teams to be fully vaccinated. Japan will still have the testing protocols - pre-flight, on-landing, and daily along with contact tracing while in Japan. Minimal risks to themselves or to anyone else.

It is the non-vaccinated people, and those who got less effective vaccines from the 2 countries we all know, who are the danger. The IOC has arranged for all Olympic teams to be vaccinated and that is happen where the govt allows. The IOC says over 74% are vaccinated as of last week. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/olympics-ioc-pushes-for-more-vaccinations-of-tokyo-bound-athletes/ar-AAKSgCk

It isn't the foreign teams that Japan should worry about.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Pim

I understand that the Yomiuri poll asked whether people thought the Games would be held and that the NHK one did not propose the postponement option.

True. Yomiuri's survey seemed to ask people about their prediction rather than preference. NHK's is leading and a bit manipulative, without postponement option offered (if it's included, a shift would occur from "cancellation" to "postponement").

On June 5-6th, JNN/TBS also conducted a poll on the Olympics: cancel: 31%, delay: 24%, go open: 44%. I just point out that public sentiments in Japan to date have been more divided and equivocal than predominantly weighed toward the cancelation (as the article describes here). Note that earlier this year approximately 80-90% opted for the full cancelation shown in several polls.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I may be cynical, but I have a feeling that if the Olympics turns into a super-spreader event, Suga & Co. will blame all those "undisciplined" foreigners.

When everything else fails, the pols will reach for "Ware Ware Nihonjin" ("We Japanese").

6 ( +6 / -0 )

KumagaijinToday 08:52 am JST

Money is obviously a huge factor, but also the athletes themselves. Following the 1980 (Western) Boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, many athletes fell into depression and committed suicide.

That's quite the claim. You'll have an abundance of evidence to back it up, of course...

Tristis QuepeToday 08:51 am JST

So money, yes, but also the fact that it’s no longer necessary to pretend.

That arrogance eventually brought down Sepp Blatter and his cohorts at FIFA, so there's always hope. John Coates swanning around Tokyo like the autocratic president-for-life of some oil-rich Central Asian republic is stomach-turning.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Perhaps in another country the ruling party would be fearful of political fallout from this and of losing their place of power. There is an election coming up this year after all. But, we can simply expect to see some deep bowing, an apology for the dead, and then everyone will be voted back in.

The Japanese people are just as much to blame here, because they have given their politicians carte blanche to do what they want.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I don't understand why they don't put them off until next year.

I assume it has something to do with the condo owners wanting to move into their (Athletes' Village) condos and repeating the same legal nightmare that was involved in postponing the games already. It might also have something to do with 2022 World Championships already scheduled and the Olmpics in Beijing as they don't want to have two Olympics (Summer and Winter) in the same year (although thats what they used to do).

Please don't forget the 2022 FIFA World Cup...

I think it'd be better to hold both Summer and Winter Games in the same year. For the Tokyo Game, a few months pushback is my preference. Japan's hot summer is as deadly as the virus. The 1964 Tokyo was opened on 10th of October. This crazy schedule is fixed as a matter of convenience solely for NBC, an US media giant and one of the biggest sponsors.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

¥,$,€,£.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Because nobody in charge gives a flying t055 about what the public want or what medical experts know.

They want their slice.

You better pay up, Nippon. Nice country you got here. Be a shame o

if something were to happen to it, such as, God forbid, someone should sue you or sump'n.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Tristis QuepeToday 08:51 am JST

So money, yes, but also the fact that it’s no longer necessary to pretend.

That arrogance eventually brought down Sepp Blatter and his cohorts at FIFA, so there's always hope. John Coates swanning around Tokyo like the autocratic president-for-life of some oil-rich Central Asian republic is stomach-turning

I would like nothing more than to see the members of the IOC exposed for their blatant corruption and disregard for anything but money. And yes, you make a good point about FIFA. However, that was a worldwide thing and we’re talking about Japan being the most affected here, and it’s not like the Japanese (for all their many virtues) are known for their rebellious streak…or their interest in politics beyond electing the same party every single time.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

IOC - Intrested Only Cash

3 ( +3 / -0 )

sir_bentley28Today  10:27 am JST

IOC - Intrested Only Cash

This could become a game.

Irascible Old Codgers

Ignorant Oligarchic Crew

Impotent Obdurate Cretins

Ignoring Opprobrium Clique

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The article is too long,I give you a short and real answer,money.

And...we are subservient to America who profits from controlling Japan government.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

However, that was a worldwide thing and we’re talking about Japan being the most affected here, and it’s not like the Japanese (for all their many virtues) are known for their rebellious streak…or their interest in politics beyond electing the same party every single time.

To be fair though, it's hard to beat the LDP when one vote in rural Niigata is worth three in Kawasaki, or whatever the rate is now. And that's without all the gerrymandered constituencies for the opposition to contend with.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Three reasons:

money

face-saving

money
4 ( +4 / -0 )

Hm, let me guess, could it be money? No, must be the love for the games ;-)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

“You notice how nobody seems to be in charge. You have all these different entities: Suga is asked in the Diet about canceling the games and says it’s not his responsibility. Nobody wants to lose face.

> You saw the same in the run up to the 1964 Games. In fact, it wasn’t until Feb 11, 1963 — some 600 days before the opening ceremony — that Japan finally found somebody willing to accept the presidency of the local organizing committee."

yup, that’s the REAL Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Alfie NoakesToday  11:18 am JST

However, that was a worldwide thing and we’re talking about Japan being the most affected here, and it’s not like the Japanese (for all their many virtues) are known for their rebellious streak…or their interest in politics beyond electing the same party every single time.

To be fair though, it's hard to beat the LDP when one vote in rural Niigata is worth three in Kawasaki, or whatever the rate is now. And that's without all the gerrymandered constituencies for the opposition to contend with.

As I take little interest in politics generally, I have to admit to being ignorant of this issue of votes being worth more in one area than another. I will look it up!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Simple - sunk cost fallacy.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Money, and it only gets to be more of an influence the closer we get. My company has some olympic partnerships and all of our contracts have been finalized already, a cancellation would hit us pretty hard now too.

I still don't want them, but any feasible window for cancellation has already gone by. I'd love to be wrong and wakeup tomorrow to news that they are pulling the ripcord, but if they didn't months ago they won't now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Money talks - BS walks.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@noriahijanen

It's probably true that the general mood has shifted a bit in favor of the Games as compared to a month ago. I still believe a large majority wants it postponed or cancelled though.

I'd like to know actually. But how do you trust these polls when so many have been twisted already? Would also be less suspicious of the media if they actually did their job.

Even AFP said a majority of Japanese were supportive of the Games after the Yomiuri poll. Seriously...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The truth of the matter is the slow rollout of the vaccine has cost the Japanese economy far far more than what the cost of canceling the Olympics would have been.

The government focused its energy on holding the Olympics rather than rolling out the vaccine. That decision has resulted in lost jobs, bankrupt companies, decreased income for many Japanese and foreigners living here, prolonged suffering and inconvenience and most importantly the loss of human lives.

Even if the Olympics are deemed a success, the price paid for them is way too high.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Last year the machine was stopped and humans saved.

This year the money is all that matters. No one will take responsiblily.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

until last month, focus was "should be hold Olympics or not" in also Japan.

but it was gradually changed to talking about "should accept spectators or not, and now, it changed to talking about "how many spectators?". 

This is typical Japan's "Nashikuzushi".

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Stop the fear-mongering!

First of all, sports events with spectators are already in full motion in other states, and even in Japan.

Secondly, all Olympic travelers will come fully vaccinated and tested negative.

Third, by the time the Olimpic games start all of the elderly people (that wish to) will be fully vaccinated.

Fourth, the Japanese people are more at ease now that the vaccination plan started to gain momentum. The polls against the games weren't only 80% it was also 50%, depending on what the guiding questions were. now that 50% got a lot lower.

One more thing, thanks to the upcoming games the Japanese government pulled her head out of where it was stuck and started the rollout of the vaccinations a lot more efficiently. If not for the Olympics the rollout, probably, would have taken another year.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

A few of these quotes above stand out.

The IOC is an elitist club that garners support from other elites and people — and countries 

To make that more obvious.

Last Olympics

Gold medals total 307

10 top countries all rich or big world powers took 182 of those 307

Those same 10 countries took 157 of 307 Silver and 178 of the 359 bronze.

So only 10 countries took home over half the medals 

Why bother having most countries even show up?

And there are billions at stake. Japan has officially spent $15.4 billion but government audits suggest it’s twice that much. 

Now again for a perspective/comparison:

The 1976 Montreal Olympics were considered one of the worst financial disasters in Olympic history. With $1.6 CND loss.

It took a special tax and 30 years to pay off the debt.

Tokyo's debt will be a minimum of $ 4 US billion and as much as $20 US billion loss even adjusting for inflation and population, Tokyo will be stuck with this debt for decades.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Some here keep trying to paint the IOC and it's leaders as great humanitarians using words like Honorable men, etc..

I suggest looking into these men and their predecessors and judge for yourselves.

Look beyond the first few search results, dig a little deeper, you may be shocked.

A single example:

the IOC’s German president, Thomas Bach, that there was “no reason to rewrite history at this moment” about one of his predecessors, Avery Brundage.

Brundage, the IOC president for 20 years until 1972, has long been criticised for racist views and being a Nazi sympathiser at the Berlin Olympics where he led the United States team.

This came to light after an IOC twitter account posted film from the 1936 games that included Nazi soldiers as part of it's promotion campaign for the Tokyo games.

What we are seeing is 3 Elite rich privileged white Men dictating to the Japanese and anyone else they see as lower than them what to do.

They have no respect to others and even less for the. Lower peasants.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

John KennedyToday  01:04 pm JST

The truth of the matter is the slow rollout of the vaccine has cost the Japanese economy far far more than what the cost of canceling the Olympics would have been.

The government focused its energy on holding the Olympics rather than rolling out the vaccine. That decision has resulted in lost jobs, bankrupt companies, decreased income for many Japanese and foreigners living here, prolonged suffering and inconvenience and most importantly the loss of human lives.

Even if the Olympics are deemed a success, the price paid for them is way too high.

Most of the Olympic work was finished in March last year so I think you're stretching it to put the slow rollout of the vaccine purely down to the Olympics. In a way it's a dangerous angle to take it gives an excuse, and we won't learn anything from it.

The slow rollout was simply down to stalling and poor planning which I believe would be the case with or without the Olympics.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

'Tokyo's debt will be a minimum of $ 4 US billion and as much as $20 US billion loss even adjusting for inflation and population, Tokyo will be stuck with this debt for decades.

Cheers,Ishihara.

How ironic that is most famous book was called 'The Japan that Could Say No.'

The citizens of this lovely city will be paying it off forever.....while single-moms will be on the breadline.

Feudal Japan is alive and kicking and the Nippon Kaigi are already planning on spending the next year's income on defense and have said that family's will have to support each other because the government doesn't care at all about the rank and file.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

But even after all this money grab and complete luck of concern for the welfare of the host country and the world, other cities around the world are still lining up to host future games. They have not learned what IOC is capable of. I find this extremely disappointing. They are going to do all this with total disregard somewhere else...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You’ve outlined @Hakman 5:52pm,some measures’ being ‘claimed’ but what add’l protections will be avail for the now, potential threat by “ursidae” you’ve recently addressed in other threads?

- “Sapporo will host marathon and race-walking events in Aug.” - “attacks have been happening more often in URBAN areas, including Sapporo….it's not unreasonable to consider at least the possibility that might turn up somewhere along the route during one of these races. I'm sure the organizers are taking notice, so it's not unreasonable to bring it up in a news report.” -

What exact measures are the IOCJOC taking to protect an endangered populace from these additional threats to public safety? Or, is this not a ‘real’ danger or just more of the IOCJOC Promoting Their Olympics “At Any Opportunity”?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To bad the olympics isn’t the same since it’s all about professional athletes now and their big egos!

Find your article hard to believe. You sure Japanese are so against the Olympics? They must be hypocrites,

The trains are still packed, Tokyo still full of people, Yoyogi park was packed and will be this weekend as well.

Sad to see how many of you are nothing more than fear mongers, your so worried about this then stay home and don’t work or leave your home.

Been over a year and half with 99% of the population wearing mask yet the yet people still testing positive. Lol

PCR test!! I feel sorry for Dr. Kerry Mullis. His invention has been misused for so many years.

Let the games begin!!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hakman,

Bravo, jolly good points made!

what you are saying is common sense yet that seems to have been lacking in many lately. They live in fear and want us all to do so too.why should we? We are the ones keeping. Te economy rolling and helping local businesses. One of the main complainers has his own business which he stated recently is in bad shape due o Covid. Normality would help him recover yet he wants lockdowns, it defies belief

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I don't understand why they don't put them off until next year.

Me neither. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games could be combined with the Olympics instead and held there.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Money, more money and more money. It's not about the athletes at all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It will be EPIC! An epic disaster. Hopefully, it will put a stake into the heart of a ridiculous spectacle designed to bring in riches to the IOC and elite sponsors.

The entirety has been a fraud from its inception - created by dissolute aristocrats in the 19th century. Some banal form of amusement for the upper classes. The nobility being amused by blood sports. A queer brotherhood confabulated out of the minds of Teutonic chauvinists and carried forth by those of privilege thru two world wars and into the so-called modern era with all attendant propaganda and plastering the lauded athletes on a cereal box aka Wheaties. All that prior to the corporate, drugged-up, high dollar spectacle with its over-hyped emotive marketing as some manner of noble endeavor. Dump it and kick it to the curb.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

AGToday  06:56 am JST

Why are Olympics going on despite public opposition, medical warnings?

Pure ignorance and greed (Japanese Government and IOC).

Listen to what Pink Floyd said. And RUSH. Big money ****got no souuuuuuuulllllll.........

0 ( +0 / -0 )

To fill the bank accounts of a very few greedy individuals.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's incredible that the IOC don't have insurance to cover this eventuality. Or did they think disease had been conquered forever and could never threaten the Olympics? If these games cause a new variant, which is then taken by Olympic participants back across the globe to their respective countries, the IOC should be arrested and charged with crimes against humanity. Their reckless decision to continue with the games in a global pandemic should be the only charge needed. Suga's administration can be charged too for not having the balls to cancel

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Because there is really limited public opposition.

The 10 people holding anti-Tokyo Olympic signs outside a train station blend in with the Red Cross blood drive workers.

Japan, and there Japanese desperately want the Olympics this year; no doubt about it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Pure greed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Because the money had already been spent, so it would be stupid to cancel the Olympics again!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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