東京奧運，繼續舉行或取消？

The Olympic games are probably the biggest world event. Over ten thousand athletes represent their nations and are appreciated for their hard work, sportsmanship and contribution. In addition, the Olympics are not only a great sports competition but also a symbol for world peace and world unity. It is more significant than any other world sports games. Due to coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee agreed on 24th March 2020 to push Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 to 2021. Whether the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will start on 23rd July 2021, it is going to be discussed briefly here.

Every country strives to host the Olympics games because it could demonstrate its solid national strength, rich culture, great venue to enhance foreign diplomacy and to promote country branding to international audience and most importantly, huge investment and commercial opportunities to boost national economy. Enormous amounts of money has been spent on holding this huge event by the Japanese government, many domestic and multinational companies. Since Japan has experienced economic recession for a number of years now, some people argue that it might become worse if the Olympics was to be cancelled. Another argument put forward is that vaccines seem effective to end the Covid 19 pandemic. Therefore, some maintain that it is better to proceed with the Olympics in accordance with the vaccination program for health and safety. There is no doubt that the Olympics games are a beacon of hope for the world to bring its positive impact on raising the confidence level. As human beings, we need to have faith, “Life goes on.” The Olympics games play an important role to rehabilitate societies around the world.

Yet, based on CBS news, it reported, “Japan announced that it would expand and extend a state of emergency in Tokyo through May 31 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.” Furthermore, India is experiencing the worst outbreak. South-East Asian countries are facing a new wave, including Taiwan. It is very difficult for governments to cope with the catastrophe and celebrate the competition at the same time. Many believe that to stay alive comes first. In addition to health concern of spreading the virus, some countries have rejected sending their athletes to the games 2020 in Tokyo, including: Canada and Australia. With continuous Covid 19 pandemic, some argue that more countries may refuse to participate in the Olympics for protection of their athletes and prevention from risking lives due to ongoing uncertainty in Japan. Others are of the opinion that every country’s authority will announce its cautionary levels in relation to the pandemic circumstances, both domestic and worldwide border control confinement. For example, according to the CNN news of 25th May 2021, the U.S. state department advised U.S. citizens with a “Level 4: Not to travel” against travelling to Japan, the highest level of warning. As Tokyo Olympics are close to its launch in July, clearly then there is a very tight working schedule. It is unrealistic to think that the number of restrictions and quarantines may be designed and aligned with daily updated Covid 19 cases in each region. It seems that the Japanese government and the Olympics authorities cannot focus only on this event.

For these reasons, I feel that it is not a good timing to insist on holding such a huge event in 2021. The true meaning of the Olympic games is to bring everyone together and to forget its problems. However, the global health crisis has not been effectively controlled. It shows that vaccine supplies are crucial in exterminating this pandemic or at least reducing its effects. At present time, it is more important to vaccinate the world populous, which means over 70 percent of people on earth should be vaccinated. In this case, we might be able to revitalize our lives. Pandemic risk is going to be repeated as long as one country experiences an outbreak with sharp increase in Covid 19 cases and also possible another virus variation. Next, according to Guardian news (2021/5/10), a poll found that nearly 60 percent of Japanese people want the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to be cancelled. They argue that their government does not prioritize public health over the Olympic games. Finally, it is surely a great opportunity to host the most famous international sportscompetition. Hence, while many countries are in calamity, in my opinion, it loses its original purpose to unite different countries together. The Olympic should not take place this year, 2021.