Tokyo 2020: Glass half full, half empty

Considering the amount of investment and revenue which comes from the Olympic Games, and how its finances significantly impacts international sport, it would seemingly take an undeniable force of nature to cancel the competition. COVID-19 is trying to be that force.

After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was postponed one year, and with its Opening Ceremonies now on July 23, here are some of the recent updates:

• Tokyo Medical Association chair Haruo Ozaki has warned staging this year’s rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be “really difficult” amid growing concerns over a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in Japan. His comments come as Tokyo 2020 celebrates the 100 days-to-go milestone and while the Japanese capital continues to battle with rising coronavirus cases. – Full report

• A senior official in Japan’s ruling party indicated canceling the Tokyo Olympics was an option as the country struggles with a surge in coronavirus cases less than 100 days before the Games are due to begin. Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said that if it was determined to be impossible to hold the Olympics, they would have to be canceled. “What would be the point of an Olympics that spread the infection?” Nikai added. – Full report

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission chairman John Coates has claimed public opinion in Japan over the staging of Tokyo 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic will improve in the 100 days before the scheduled opening of the rearranged Olympic Games. A new survey this week suggested Tokyo 2020 organizers are still struggling to win public support with more than 70 per cent of Japanese citizens wanting the Games to be cancelled or delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. – Full report

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Program
Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Men’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Women’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s One Person Dinghy Heavy – Finn
Men’s Windsurfing – RS:X
Women’s Windsurfing – RS:X
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Original dates: July 24 to August 9, 2020
Revised dates: July 23 to August 8, 2021

Details: https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/schedule/olympic/