It’s Japan’s International Commitment to Host Tokyo Olympic, Paralympic Games This Summer (2)
▼Opportunity to Confirm the Spirit of Global Unity
In a February 25 post titled “No Way Will Tokyo Olympics, Paralympics Be Cancelled This Summer,” I called for holding the games despite the pandemic because I believe they would become the most fitting opportunity for the international community to confirm the need to work together to conquer COVID-19.
Up to now, there have been more than 178 million cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide with the death toll exceeding 3.8 million. By comparison, the Spanish flu pandemic from 1918 to 1920 infected 500 million people－about a third of the world's population at the time－with the death toll typically estimated to have been somewhere between 20 million and 50 million.
In the modern world where millions of people travel across borders daily, it is extremely difficult to prevent a fresh wave of infections from spreading to many parts of the globe even though one or two countries successfully stem the spread of the coronavirus.
I believe it will become possible to conquer COVID-19 only if countries work together effectively in exchanging information and developing and sharing vaccines.
During a video summit hosted by Japan on June 2, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged an additional $800 million to the COVAX vaccine-sharing plan, expanding efforts to make COVID-19 shots more available to people in poorer nations. The move, I believe, forms part of Tokyo’s efforts to build up burgeoning international unity in fighting COVID-19.
Hosting the Olympics and Paralympics aims to create and boost that spirit of global unity. I hope the Japanese government and organizers will redouble their efforts to get on with the preparations in a positive and resolute manner.
The long-drawn-out pandemic has had a heavy impact on people’s lives and the economies of virtually all countries. Hardest hit have been persons with disabilities and women. It is difficult to overcome the coronavirus without international unity and cooperation－all the more so when national-populist and protectionist sentiments appear to be on the rise in many countries.
Most of the athletes as well as journalists, officials and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated and follow complex testing rules in their home countries before departing for Tokyo, where they will continue to be subjected to strict protocols.
They must also agree to have their location monitored by GPS (global positioning system), download several apps, sign a pledge to follow the rules, maintain social distancing, stay off public transportation for the first 14 days and keep organizers informed of their whereabouts.
These measures are expected to be used as reference for other countries to beef up their battle against COVID-19. Besides, under the influence of global warming, the world could be hit by new pandemics of unknown infectious diseases in the future. Holding the Olympics and Paralympics amid the pandemic reminds us of the need to prepare for such crises to come.
To make the events a symbol of humanity’s resilience in overcoming the pandemic, the central and Tokyo governments, the Tokyo Organizing Committee, sponsors and all other stakeholders must work together as hard as possible. If the games turn out to be a success, they will hold a unique place in the history of the Olympics and Paralympics.
▼Sports Cheering Up People and Society
Sports know no limits in their power to cheer up people and society.
The Olympic torch relay started on March 25 in Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan with Japan's women's national soccer team, or Nadeshiko Japan. The organizers of the Tokyo 2020 games chose Fukushima as the starting point of the flame’s 121-day journey to highlight the region’s recovery from the 2011 triple disaster--the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. From there, the journey is progressing, though on a limited scale in some prefectures, with about 10,000 runners carrying the torch through Japan’s 47 prefectures in a show of unity.
Even though not all fans can be in the stadiums, they will be moved and inspired by the spectacular performances of world-class athletes, who I salute for training so hard for the Olympics and Paralympics during the long-drawn-out pandemic.
It is my hope that once the games begin, heartwarming and stirring news stories from Tokyo will bring encouragement to people around the world and that through hosting the games, Japan’s position in the international community will be further boosted.
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