Ideal for team Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — A “downsized” and “simplified” Tokyo Olympics looms but the Philippine Olympic Committee leadership won’t mind for as long as the Games safely pushes through with a full sports program.
“Maybe that’s another option if wala pang vaccine,” POC president and Cavite Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino told The STAR yesterday in reaction to talks in Japan about “simplifying” the postponed Olympiad.
According to the Associated Press, Japanese media have been quoting politicians and unnamed sources about the possibility of reducing spectators at the Games – if any fans at all – and scaling back on the opening and closing rites, among others.
“It’s still good for us as long na matuloy; basta wag lang bawasan ang events,” said Tolentino. “Fans, spectators lang ang bawasan and other ceremonies not the events.”
Weightlifting association president Monico Puentevella said he’s okay with competitions on empty stadiums.
“For me, for the sake of the athletes, even if there’s no crowd and only through television or digital sponsorships, the Games must continue or else, Tokyo would suffer more damaging losses,” he said.
But Puentevella felt discussions about downsizing are premature.
“Personally, I believe we’re firing the gun too soon. Everyone in the world is now desperately searching and trying every means to find a vaccine. While it is but natural for the Tokyo organizers to anticipate and avoid more losses, the IOC should first hold off any talk of downsizing the Games,” he said.
“If by the early part of next year, no vaccine has been found, then I also agree that these steps must be taken. It’s inevitable,” he added.
Sports execs are really upbeat about the chances of the Tokyo-bound bets to finally nail that elusive Olympic gold.
Reigning world champion gymnast Caloy Yulo leads the four-member Philippine Olympic Team so far with reigning Asian pole vault kingpin EJ Obiena, 2019 World Boxing Championship silver medalist Eumir Marcial and fancied lady boxer Irish Magno.
Rio Games silver-winning weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is tipped to earn a return trip to the Olympics when the qualification process restarts.
There are several hopefuls seeking to qualify like world boxing titlist Nesthy Petecio, Olympian hurdler Eric Cray, sprinter Kristina Knott, shot putter Willie Morrison, pole-vaulter Natalie Uy, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and karate ace Junna Tsukii.
In Tokyo, AP reported that Japanese public is being prepared for the reality of next year’s postponed Olympics, where athletes are likely to face quarantines, spectators will be fewer, and the delay will cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
The themes in news items include the possibility of reduced seating at the Olympics – if any fans at all – tests for all athletes, fans and staff, and a quarantine-like situation at the Athletes Village.
In the hours before an online news conference on Thursday with Tokyo Olympics spokesman Masa Takaya, Japanese media published several versions of virtually the same story citing unnamed sources: Next year’s Olympics will be “downsized,” “simplified,” or “very different.”
Tokyo CEO Toshiro Muto has been open about slashing costs and “reducing service levels.”
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, in Thursday newscasts, sounded the same tune.
“We will move ahead with the items that should be streamlined and simplified,” she said, giving no details on the downsizing and adding that the public would be consulted.
“First of all we need to gain the understanding of Tokyo residents and the Japanese people,” she said.