Competitive sports events around the world continue to be on hold. Worst of all, there is no indication of when and how matches will resume. As self-restraint is practiced and restrictions are implemented not only in sports but also cultural and entertainment activities, the hearts of people all over the world who cannot go out freely are depressed.
This decision casts a ray of light on the situation. It has been decided that the Tokyo Olympics will open on July 23 next year. Of course, the spread of the new coronavirus infection is unpredictable, and there is no guarantee that it will be over one year and three months from now. Nevertheless, the early decision on the Olympic and Paralympic schedule will serve as a springboard for the revival of the sports world.
The decision was made only six days after the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government agreed to postpone the Games for about a year. Both World Athletics and the International Swimming Federation (FINA) immediately began to change their schedules for world championships and clarified their intention to cooperate. U.S. television network NBC also welcomed the delay. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said, "It is absolutely the right decision for athletes," adding that it protected the players from emotional turmoil.
Behind this is a sense of crisis. Due to prolonged damage from the virus, schedules for sports worldwide are in ruins. There is no prospect of holding the matches next year. Against this backdrop, the Olympic and Paralympic Games organizers set a goal of overcoming the virus in one year and three months, and will first of all guide the various sports organizations in reorganizing their schedules.
Now that the Games schedule has been set, the organizers have a grave responsibility to open the Games on July 23 next year. In order to invite athletes from every country and region and hold the event in a complete form, it is necessary to carry out successful anti-virus measures not only in Japan but also around the world.
The organizing committee should calmly and steadily reorganize the Games based on medical knowledge. It is also essential to share information not only with the central and local governments, but also with other countries and international sports organizations.
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