Prevent spread of infections to ensure Games can be staged in safe environment

Will it be possible to contain novel coronavirus infections and manage to hold the event safely? The key will be to drastically strengthen border controls.

The opening of the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to next summer, is one year away. The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has reported the competition schedule and list of venues to the International Olympic Committee.

Following the plan that was in place for this summer, 339 events in 33 sports will be held across 42 venues. The marathon and race walk events will be held in Sapporo as a measure against the heat.

Maintaining the schedule and venues is aimed at minimizing the impact on transportation, security and other aspects of operations of the Olympics.

In Japan, infections are spreading again, mainly in Tokyo, and the virus is still raging in the United States and emerging economies.

The final decision on whether to hold the Olympics will be made by the IOC. The government, the organizing committee and the Tokyo metropolitan government intend to start discussions on measures to prevent the spread of the virus in autumn this year and present a direction for the measures within the year.

Even if it is difficult to completely bring the infections under control, it is important to take measures to prevent infections so that the Olympic Games can be held.

The organizing committee plans to simplify the Games. The scale of related events, such as torch relays, will inevitably be reduced.

It is vital to work out concrete plans as soon as possible, taking into account the safety of athletes from Japan and overseas, and the residents of areas that will host the training camps for these athletes, as well as hammering out details to simplify the Games. The government must strengthen preparedness for preventing infections and providing medical services.

Overseas delegations of athletes and officials will total 15,000 people. There are difficult issues, such as how to accept athletes and others from countries where the coronavirus might still be spreading.

It is indispensable to conduct PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests on foreign athletes not only at the time of entry, but also on a regular basis.

IOC President Thomas Bach called for limiting the number of spectators as an issue to be addressed. In limiting the number of spectators, refunds of sold tickets could become a problem. There are many within the government and the organizing committee who are concerned about a drop in revenue.

It is necessary to give top priority to the safety of spectators before making a decision. It is vital to determine the current situation of virus infections and the testing system.

The additional costs due to the postponement are expected to reach several hundred billion yen. The central government, the organizing committee and the metropolitan government are required to cooperate in sharing the costs. They should also ask the IOC to shoulder some of the burden.