An Olympic commitment

“We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July.” This was the statement of International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach to Kyodo News.

As this writer predicted, the Tokyo Olympics are pushing through, and Bach says there is no Plan B. This, despite surveys in Japan revealing that the citizenry is cold to still holding the Games. Organizers have put their own safety protocols in place, and will not require vaccination for entry. In the past, war has been the only catalyst powerful enough to force a cancellation of the Games. No other international strife has been able to out a dampener on it.

Why is Japan sticking to its guns on this? There are many probable causes. First, there is the material side. As mandated by the IOC itself, Tokyo has invested tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure to comply with the requirements. This includes building venues, the athletes village, an international broadcast center, and others. The IOC cannot pull the plug and leave Tokyo with a staggering financial loss after making them go through that. They’re in it together.

Secondly, Japanese hold loss of face in very high esteem. This is a major motivating factor in pushing through with the Games. They will do everything in their power to make things successful, and will put significant resources behind their safety protocols. They are committed to the success of their Olympics. That single intangible is a major glue holding the event together. It is a matter of national pride and honor.

Third, they have seen the success of bubble experiments all over the world, and can apply the learnings and replicate what works. There is a sense of international cooperation because the pandemic affects everybody. Granted, some athletes may still decide not to participate, but that will become a forgotten footnote in the years to come, like the successive US and Soviet Olympic boycotts of the 1980’s.

The vaccine helps. The rapid multiplication of vaccine options will mitigate some of the risk, more so if ticket sales are once again allowed. Vaccination will protect part of the audience and a chunk of the athletes, officials and media attending. A lot can happen in six months.

Lastly, the world needs it. The Olympics have always been about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. The Games are a regular reminder that if people come together, anything is possible. More than ever, Tokyo will be a symbol of that.