With the Olympic Games set to kick off at the end of July, preparations for the Games are beginning in all sports, not just in swimming. In this series, SwimSwam looks at some of the leading news from outside of swimming as athletes prepare, or qualify, for the Olympic Games that are set to kick off in Tokyo on July 23rd.
Japanese Politician Calls for Cancellation of Olympic Games
In some of this week’s more notable Tokyo 2020 news, notable Japanese attorney and politician Kenji Utsunomiya organized an online petition titled “Stop Tokyo Olympics”. The petition quickly gained traction online, receiving 240,000 signatures since its creation.
Utsunomiya asserted that it is very possible that the Olympic Games could become a superspreader event, causing danger to the country’s healthcare workers, citizens, and athletes. According to him, the resources invested in the Games could be used to help the citizens of the country.
Utsunomiya has a strong following within Japan’s capital, having finished second in voting to serve as Tokyo’s mayor on three separate occasions: 2012, 2014, and 2020.
British Runner to Make Podium Statement
Adam Gemili, a sprinter who finished in 4th in the 200m at the 2016 Olympic Games, spoke out against the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ban podium protests.
Like American swimmer Anthony Ervin, who feels that the Olympics is the opportunity for athletes to lead their country and world, Gemili said:
“We are protesting as the minority and the fact that they are trying to limit that goes against everything the Olympics says it stands for. I get sport has to be separate from politics. But this is more than politics; this is humanitarian and about decency – this is not political at all. It is so disappointing that if that moment comes, I am not allowed to really have a voice, to do anything.”
Gemili is a part of a minority in supporting podium protests, both across all global and British athletes. In a study done by the IOC, only 16% of athletes were in favor of allowing podium protests. While the number climbed to 36% of athletes not directly opposed among British athletes, he still remains firmly in the minority.
Australian Women’s Basketball Player Threatens Boycott
A member of the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and member of the Australian national team member, Liz Cambage has threatened to boycott the Tokyo games following the Australian Olympic Committee’s (AOC) use of a ‘whitewashed’ photo as promotional material for the country’s team. Cambage spoke out following a social media post by Jockey Australia, who serves as the official underwear of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams.
While the AOC has since apologized and accepted blame for the promotional photos, Cambage has doubled down on her initial statement, suggesting she may not represent Australia this summer if she doesn’t see improvement.
As Camabage continues her stance on potentially boycotting the Games, the AOC has adjusted its constitution to encourage more inclusion within the AOC Athletes’ Commission. In the new constitution, at least one athlete of Aboriginal descent and one of Torres Strait Island descent will be included on the Commission at all times.
Why would you hold a house party when 70% of your family don’t want guests.
If you were an invited guest, why would you want to go to a party where 70% of the hosts don’t want you there.
This is a 140 IQ comment
That’s a flawed argument. The family in the house aren’t necessarily the same as the hosts of the party. 70% of the family might not want you there, but 100% of the hosts might.
It is possible to have a house party in the garden or living room or whatever, apart from the majority of the rest of the house without disturbing other occupants.
Plus at the end of the day a house party analogy only goes so far when it comes to the Olympics.
That’s a flawed argument. A party half a block away can disturb the entire neighborhood.
Correct…and require too many medical staff on call that will in turn create a deficit of staff for the population at large. This is THE issue.
Assuming it’s a completely irresponsible party – the Olympics would be hosted responsibly… Try to keep your analogy consistent…
Hosted responsibly? Is it responsible to stretch the medical system beyond the breaking point?Is it responsible to have a “celebration of sport” before the suffering and death have subsided?
We the people, all the tax paying people, own the house, the whole house, democratically…we are the hosts. We should not have to bow to your commonwealth imperialism.
No you’ll just shoot each other when you have an argument and infringe on the human rights of the minorities in your house. And when you run out of beer you’ll just break into the next house, assault them and leave.
Uh, we don’t have guns and minorities in Japan.
And we argue and drink beer responsibly in Japan.
You’re obviously talking about what goes on in your house.
You’re from Japan? And you had the audacity to bring up imperialism? Read a fricking book.
And yes. Yes you do have minorities in Japan. But the fact you don’t seem to recognise that kind of proves my point that you don’t give a sh*t about them.
Yes, we who’ve lived in Japan long, and have learned about and experienced Japan, know what imperialist tendencies look, sound and smell like sir.
Yes, minorities do exist in Japan but to a much lesser extent…and should matter of course.
Perhaps we are both living in glass houses…and I don’t wish to throw rocks at yours…so no need to become defensive my dear fellow human.
Wise words, fair enough.
Cool, reasonable discourse without skirting the issues or getting off course is the way forward eh:-)
We are ALL no doubt frustrated with the situation.
They didn’t cancel Hakone Ekiden in January (a long distance running relay, a la Hood-to-Coast, but with a return trip on day 2 over the same course). Millions of people lining the streets, 3-4 people deep in many places. Trains are crowded. Have been the entire pandemic, no crowd control. Little change. Nothing meeting the threshold of safe. Zero social distancing. Some stores are closed, making others even more crowded and dangerous. Schools closed for one week in Tokyo over a year ago. That was it for schools.
Next weekend is WTS Yokohama, a world cup triathlon… It’s happening. I’ll be there.
This politician is disconnected with his country. Everything here has always been, face masks are a… Read more »
They have had 12 months to get things in order!
Dude says it’ll be a superspreader like it’s not already gone to every country in the world. Your not having spectators it can’t get that bad
If Japan wants to cancel or not hold the games, they need to say so now so it can be held somewhere else. It’s unfair to make the call at the last minute.
Florida, baby!!
Ron Desantis’ dream.
Desantis’ 2024 – Uniting the World Together
Gas will be > 5 dollars, stock will crash so will retirement plan/401k, inflation will be crazy, the poor will be in greater hardship. GOP 2022 & 2024.
LMAO I thought Dems were the ones who rooted for national disaster simply to spite the president.
Peep the Dow Jones, genius. The QOP is in total shambles worshipping the orange guy everyone knew was a moron 35 years ago.
Wow, that took a turn. How are we tying this back to Tokyo and the 2021 games?
Agree Florida would certainly be willing as would some other states but might be a bit late to relocate all the events.
Far too late now to relocate for this year …… unless they decide to split sports around whichever countries who may be willing to host a “world meet” for specific sports at short notice with these meets classified as Olympic tournament/championship. Such a move could’ve been viable for a number of sports had a “call” been made on Tokyo at the start of the year or even Jan/Feb but its going to be a major ask this late in the year.
Taking the most expedient route of just punting it 12 months down the road was always going to be a significant gamble that best case scenarios, both with the global situation and vaccination, would play out. A safer move,… Read more »
A global olympics that disperses events, utilizes existing infrastructure eliminates reliance on a single country to host. Makes sense. Many sports would have very little difficulty in such a move. Swim comes to mind…..
At least have each governing body of each sport have the chance to set something up for themselves. Would be much easier to let say FINA take aquatics and let the other ones do what they please with their sports.
They are not going to cancel the Olympics. Just relax and understand how entertainment works. In the entertainment world this is called “Increasing external conflict.” This is just building up the climax of the Olympics to get more viewers to watch on television. You have a pandemic, vaccine, athletes training their whole entire life, countries at odds with each other, triumph, and then victory.
I think the Olympics will happen, but this comment is beyond dumb. Embarrassing would be closer but still doesn’t quite cover it