The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Torch relay begins for delayed and unpopular Tokyo Games
The torch relay for the postponed Tokyo Olympics began its 121-day journey across Japan on Thursday and is headed toward the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.
The relay began in northeastern Fukushima prefecture, the area that was devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. About 18,000 died in the tragedy.
The first runner with the torch was Azusa Iwashimizu, a key player in the Japan team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2011.
Wearing a white track suit, she carried the torch out of the J-village indoor soccer training center and was surrounded by 14 other members of that 2011 World Cup squad and coach Norio Sasaki at the rear. They were also decked out in white track suits.
The ceremony was closed to the public because of the fear of spreading COVID-19 but was streamed live.
“The torch of Tokyo 2020 will become a bright light for hope for Japanese citizens and citizens in the world and a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Seiko Hashimoto, a former Olympian and president of the local organizing committee.
Fans were told to social distance along the roadside as the torch passes, and to refrain from loud cheering. Organizers have said they will stop or reroute the relay if crowding becomes a problem during the four-month parade.
Spectators cooperated in Naraha Town, just down the road from where the torch started its trip. A few hundred people stood on the roadside and were spread out.
“At first I didn’t think much of it,” said 20-year-old Takumu Kimura. “But when I actually saw it, it felt like — yes, it’s the Olympics.”
Setsuko Hashimoto, a 63-yearold local resident, was emotional as the torch passed.
“Ten years ago there was a nuclear accident so (seeing the torch) it felt like I could really look forward to something and live,” she said. “When you become my age, this is the last Tokyo Olympics and it’s here. It was very touching.”
About 10,000 runners are expected to take part, with the relay touching Japan’s 47 prefectures.
Local organizers and the International Olympic Committee hope the relay will turn public opinion in Japan in favor of the Olympics. Sentiments expressed in polls in Japan so far are overwhelmingly negative with about 80% suggesting another delay or cancellation.
The relay and the Olympics stir fear the events could spread the virus to rural and more isolated parts of the country. Vaccinations have not been rolled out yet in Japan to the general public. About 9,000 deaths in the country have been attributed to COVID-19.
There is also opposition to the soaring cost of staging the Olympics, now put officially at $15.4 billion. After the postponement a year ago, there was talk of eliminating the relay to save money. However, that idea was dropped with the relay heavily sponsored by Coca-cola and Toyota.