Tokyo Olympics ... [no foreign fans] [no fans period]

[Conor Dary]

Meanwhile...

A tough-on-China GOP is split on whether to boycott the China Olympics


Some Republicans want to pull out, but others say there are better ways to highlight Beijing’s human rights abuses.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/0...boycott-475210

[TN1965]

IOC members worry about banning foreign fans from Olympics

Several IOC members on Thursday reminded Tokyo Olympic organizers about the potential negative consequences of banning overseas fans from attending the postponed games.

https://sports.yahoo.com/ioc-members...154818562.html

[Conor Dary]

What a surprise....like the Mafia it all comes down to money with the IOC...

“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.

Muto said it was better if the decision was announced early so that fans have time to get refunds. He tried to guarantee full ticket refunds would be paid. However, that decision rests with the Authorized Ticket Resellers, who deal with sales outside Japan and are appointed by national Olympic committees.

[Conor Dary]

IOC President Thomas Bach announced that the Chinese Olympic committee has offered to make vaccine doses available “to participants” in the Tokyo Games and the Beijing Winter Games, which open on Feb. 4, 2022.

The vaccine rollout in Japan began last month with medical workers and is expected to be available for the elderly in April.

Muto did not suggest that China's offer would change the decision about fans from abroad. And he did not say if Japan would accept it.

“The Japanese government is handling vaccines right now,” he said. “So the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee is not in a position to comment.”

[Conor Dary]

Olympic host Japan will not take part in China vaccine offer

https://sports.yahoo.com/olympic-hos...100600917.html

[Tuariki]

Meanwhile...

A tough-on-China GOP is split on whether to boycott the China Olympics


Some Republicans want to pull out, but others say there are better ways to highlight Beijing’s human rights abuses.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/0...boycott-475210

I think the sanctimonious hypocrisy of US politicians caused enough damage to the 1980 and 1984 Games. Let's hope Biden keeps his nose out of 2022. And when the USA keeps Guantanamo Bay going, all I can say is that people in glass houses should stop throwing stones.

[Atticus]

I think the sanctimonious hypocrisy of US politicians

Easy there, big fella! I disagreed with the 1980 boycott also, but that description serves no useful purpose.

[TN1965]

Tokyo 2020 creative chief quits over Naomi Watanabe 'Olympig' pitch

Hiroshi Sasaki floated idea of plus-size comedian descending from sky in porcine form for opening ceremony, magazine reports

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...lympics-gaffe/

[Conor Dary]

In the Times...


Tokyo Olympics Official Resigns After Calling Plus-Size Celebrity ‘Olympig’


The departure came just a month after the president of the Tokyo organizing committee stepped down over a sexist remark.


https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/w...hi-sasaki.html

[gh]

non-paywall link to this story was on our front page yesterday

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...lympics-gaffe/

[18.99s]

In the Times...


Tokyo Olympics Official Resigns After Calling Plus-Size Celebrity ‘Olympig’

That's size-ist, not sexist.

[DrJay]

Decisions are starting to be made. Foreign spectators barred from attending the Olympics.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nyt...ators.amp.html

[Atticus]

Decisions are starting to be made. Foreign spectators barred from attending the Olympics.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nyt...ators.amp.html

That's Step One to ensure it'll happen.
Getting all teams/officials/staff vaccinated is Step Two.

It's beginning to look a lot like . . . Olympics!

[Conor Dary]

I still don't see them happening....cases are going back up worldwide...vaccinations outside the US is still a trickle...and new variants could be a problem. A number of European countries are going to lockdowns again. This pandemic is not over by a longshot.

They are just delaying the inevitable. And the financial reason to have them is out the window. TV money won't nearly cover the loss of spectators. They would be much smarter to wait another year.

Another reason to invest in vaccine production capacity right now that I don't see discussed much: Increased production capacity is like an insurance against the risk from new possible variants against which the current vaccines do not work.


https://mobile.twitter.com/MaxCRoser...73735667216389

[18.99s]

I still don't see them happening....cases are going back up worldwide...vaccinations outside the US is still a trickle...and new variants could be a problem.

They'll make it happen, but with strict bubble protocols for athletes, coaches and officials to minimize the risk of spreading it to the larger Japanese population.

Athletes who are done competing won't be allowed to hang around the stadiums and arenas to watch other sports or even other events within their own sport, and they won't be able to freely mingle with each other in the Olympic village. The village's dumpster won't have 350,000 used condoms.