Games the IOC Plays

The International Olympic Committee is more intent on protecting its bottom line and itself from the multiple litigations it could face if the Games were postponed further or cancelled. It has little interest in “safeguarding the health of the athletes” or of anybody else, for that matter

- Sujit Bhar

WHAT happens if the Tokyo Olympic Games, already postponed once because of the Coronavirus pandemic, are forced into another postponement or even a cancellation? One of these looks very probable now, with the US government’s recent advisory to its citizens to not travel to Japan due to Covid 19. Such an advisory, just two months ahead of the Games— the Olympics are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, and the Paralympic Games from August 24 to September 5—is bound to shake up all Olympic bound nations, including India and, then, is bound to induce insomnia in financial institutions, including major insurance companies.

Most importantly, though, a cancellation could leave the organisers—and Japan, to be specific—with a loss of up to $43 billion, according to a recent study, a postponement will incur a loss of $6.2 billion.

The US advisory came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is what is called a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Japan due to Covid-19, indicating a “very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The advisory also said that there are restrictions in place affecting a US citizen’s entry into Japan.

The resistance to the Olympic Games, postponed from last year, has come from the citizens of Japan themselves. According to a recent Kyodo News survey, almost 80 percent of Japanese people want both the Games to be cancelled or postponed. Some want it pushed to 2024 (when Paris is scheduled to host the Olympic Games).