IOC vice president gets backlash for saying, ‘Olympics are on, no matter virus’

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice president, Coates in a recent interaction with Japanese media said that the Tokyo Olympics would go ahead, even if a state of emergency were in force in Japan.

Coates said, “The postponed Olympics with 11,000 athletes from 200 nations and territories will open on July 23 and will be “safe and secure.” But his defiant tone has stirred a backlash in Japan where 60-80% in polls say they do not want the Olympics to open in two months in the midst of a pandemic.

Japan has reported over 12,000 deaths due to Covid-19. Tokyo and Osaka and several other areas are under a state of emergency until May 31, which is likely to be extended.

There is fear of new variants spreading with only a tiny percentage of Japanese vaccinated.

“Right now, more than 80% of the nation’s people want the Olympics postponed or canceled,” Japanese billionaire businessman Masayoshi Son said over the weekend.

Social media criticized Coates, and also went after IOC President Thomas Bach who has said repeatedly that everyone must “sacrifice” to pull off these Olympics, which have already banned fans from abroad. A decision on local fans attending — if any — will be made next month.

The IOC relies on selling television rights for 75% of its income, and Japan has officially spent $15.4 billion to prepare the games. Government audits suggest the figure is much higher. All but $6.7 billion in public money.

Tokyo organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said Friday the “Olympic family, IOC and international federations” would amount to 23,000 visitors.

The magazine said the IOC would pay up to $400 per night for rooms, with local organizers making up any difference.

Many of Japan’s newspapers are among more than 60 local Olympic sponsors that have contributed more than $3 billion to local organizers. They have been restrained in their criticism.

The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun, which is not a sponsor, called for cancellation in an editorial on Sunday.

“We are in no mood to celebrate an event filled with fear and anxiety,” the newspaper said. “The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics should be canceled. The government must make the decision to protect the lives and livelihood of the people.” Organizers and the IOC say that the games will be safe because of extensive testing and building a bubble around the athletes. It says more than 80% of the residents in the Olympics Village, located on Tokyo Bay, will be vaccinated.

“Bach and Coates do not value the lives of the athletes, others involved, or the people of the host nation. It’s tantamount to predicting terrorism to say that the games will be held under an emergency, despite the overwhelming opposition in public opinion.”