Let the Games Begin

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics works toward a mid-pandemic strategy.

- By Elyse Glickman

Until the end of 2019, The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee collaborated to ensure the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games would be greater than the sum of its events, athletes, teams and ancillary events. “The Reconstruction Games” became a prevailing theme, with numerous competitive soccer, baseball and softball events planned in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, all affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

And then COVID-19 forced rescheduling of these best-laid plans and, ultimately, all international travel. Nevertheless, once the new dates for the Olympic Games ( July 23–Aug. 8, 2021) and Paralympic Games (Aug. 24–Sept. 5, 2021) were set, the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced in its updated media materials that the revamped Games would rise up as an embodiment of the human spirit that would transcend athletics.

Furthermore, tickets, tourism dollars and media coverage would still raise awareness and funds for the cities’ continued rebuilding. “Recovery from the earthquake remains one of the important themes for Tokyo 2020,” affirmed a spokesperson from the Tokyo Organizing Committee. “In order to support the reconstruction of the disaster-hit areas, we will leverage the power of sport to generate hope and put smiles on the faces of children living in those areas. Another aim is to re-introduce the nature, cuisine, history, tradition and culture of the disaster-hit areas to the world, and show our gratitude to [those who provided] support during their recovery.”