With 100 days to go, Tokyo scrambles to stage pandemic Olympics

When Japan received the bid to host the Olympic Games eight years in the past, it billed Tokyo as a dependable and safe location, contrasting it with rivals battling funds and political instability.
But 100 days earlier than the beginning of the Olympics, the organisers face a deluge of challenges and rising uncertainty because the pandemic rages all over the world, affecting selections on every thing from athlete security to spectator numbers to ticket gross sales.
The greatest headache is the resurgent coronavirus, with nations like India and Brazil battling new variants and a contemporary rise in circumstances. In Japan, vaccinations have been the slowest amongst developed economies, as Tokyo has lurched out and in of sentimental lockdowns. Infections are on the rise, and consultants fear right here town is on the cusp of an “explosive” leap in circumstances.

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As a outcome, overseas spectators have been barred, elements of the torch relay have been re-routed, and the organizers are but to determine what to do with the home viewers. This has precipitated main challenges for sports activities venues and journey businesses, already grappling with restrictions to dam the virus.
“The situation is constantly shifting. Even in the last few months the coronavirus situation has changed massively, and it will continue to do so, and it’s very challenging to continue preparations when we don’t know what the situation will be in the future,” mentioned Hidemasa Nakamura, the highest organising committee official overseeing logistical preparations for the Games.
His group has created the primary “playbook” with COVID countermeasures, together with guidelines banning visits to outlets and eating places. If visiting athletes break protocol, it might outcome of their being barred from competing.

Today marks 100 days to go till the Olympic Games #Tokyo2020!#UnitedByEmotion @Olympics pic.twitter.com/pBDMhjwBRz
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) April 14, 2021
But Nakamura pledged to beat the challenges as “one team” and informed Reuters it was “important to show what we have now, receive feedback, and finalise the playbook step by step, not to have these discussions behind closed doors.”
The subsequent replace to the foundations is anticipated this month, he mentioned.
REAL SCRAMBLE
Nakamura mentioned that the summer season warmth poses one other impediment for Tokyo, and “there will be situations where it’s hard to balance both heat and coronavirus countermeasures,” similar to when individuals in masks queue outdoors venues.
Tokyo authorities official Yoichiro Hara, who oversees preparations on public roads across the venues, added that “the symptoms of heat exhaustion can be similar to those of the coronavirus.”
Hara mentioned his group is contemplating whether or not medical employees at first-aid stations ought to put on full protecting fits, however with the issue of gauging the prevalence of the virus in July and no choice but on the variety of spectators, they’ve been unable to determine on what number of stations are wanted.
Another problem is the athletes’ village, anticipated to accommodate 15,000 individuals from greater than 200 nations to compete in 33 sports activities at 42 venues. The organizers have deliberate for 126,000 volunteers to shepherd athletes and spectators across the metropolis.
“The medical system is already under strain. Our local health centre can’t possibly take care of those athletes in the village,” mentioned Hideki Hayakawa, director of Olympic coordination unit at Tokyo’s Chuo ward, the place the village is positioned.
Hayakawa mentioned that and different points are nonetheless being negotiated with the Tokyo authorities.
At a ceremony on Wednesday to mark 100 days to the Games, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike mentioned she was decided to make the occasion successful regardless of difficulties.
“The fight against an invisible enemy, the coronavirus, is behind the one-year postponement (of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021), and it has been a major ordeal for humanity,” Koike mentioned. “I would really like us to beat the struggle in opposition to the coronavirus and make the Games a memorable occasion.
Some native organisers complain that data from Tokyo has come slowly, and that they study key developments from the media. Others, like Mie Watanabe, readying the street race course in Oyama, a metropolis 90 kilometres (56 miles) southwest of Tokyo, fear months of their work might go to waste.
“The fact that we don’t know if roadside spectators will be allowed is a big problem for us – it means some of our preparations won’t be needed,” mentioned Watanabe, itemizing objects similar to tents, bathrooms, and parking areas.
Organisers in Oyama have put aside cash to purchase as much as 5,000 masks for the onlookers – if they’re allowed to collect.
“Once we do find out, it’s going to be a real scramble,” Watanabe mentioned.