Dayrit sees positive impact of Tokyo Olympics postponement

AT the end of the current CovidCo 19 pandemic, we will see the benefits that will be derived from the postponement of the 32nd Games of the Olympiad far outweighing the losses.

This was how former Philippine Olympic Committee president now Fencing Confederation of Asia top man Celso “Cito” Dayrit assessed the present situation that put the entire sporting world at a standstill.

Dayrit, in a letter he circulated the other day and furnished The Manila Times, even expressed the possibility of having a “bigger” Olympics comes 2021 when they were calendared to resume following their postponement this year.

The 32nd edition of the “Summer Spectacle” was originally set to open on July 24 and end on August 11, until both the International Olympics Committee ( IOC) and the Japanese Organizers heeding strong public clamor, agreed to put it on hold for a period of one year.

“While some individual athletes have already sealed their slots for Tokyo, some International Federations may recommend new guidelines to qualify additional athletes next year,” said Dayrit, the only Filipino IOC Family member being a certified International course Director of the Olympic Solidarity School for Sports Leaders, projected.

The possibility [ therefore] of having a “bigger” Olympics in 2021 looms”, Dayrit, many- time member of the national fencing team, said.

The author of the book The Olympic Movement in the Philippines reiterated his prognosis made earlier that though the 2020 Tokyo Games were delayed, they never were canceled as many believed.

“Though delayed, the Games of the 32nd Olympiad will push through. It was not cancelled,” he asserted, even as he added, the postponement should be good for the Olympic Movement, and to all stakeholders including the IOC, IFs, NOCs, Japanese people, the sponsors and above all the athletes.

“As the 32nd Olympic cycle is extended by one year, immeasurable benefits could be derived, he added. Consider these: more aspiring individual athletes could be given the ‘ second chance’ to qualify for the delayed Tokyo Games.”

In team sports where countries have already qualified, the composition of the team could still be adjusted giving more athletes the chance to make it to the Olympics.

Most of the big IOC sponsors have signed up for at least 2 Olympic cycles, so to postpone Tokyo Games is not detrimental to them.

More sponsors could even be attracted to come in now as they will benefit from having four Olympic Games ( the Winter and Youth Games in 2022, and two summer Games) in the next four years.

Most local sponsors in Japan will benefit from the extended period to exploit their marketing rights. This could attract more companies to avail of this last chance to be part of Olympic history.

Japanese economy will greatly benefit with the announced postponement, as evidenced by the rebound in their stock market. The fruits of their investments will simply be delayed, but not lost altogether

Both government and businesses in Japan welcome the postponement to redeem their investments next year, from an otherwise total loss due to the current pandemic this year.

Hotels, airlines, and other services naturally prefer rebooking than cancellation and refunds. And spectators may even choose to hold on to their tickets, rather than lose their rights to their reserved seats next year.

“No one is to be blamed for pushing back the Tokyo Games from its original schedule, but everyone must look at the opportunities that the Olympic Games next year could bring. After all, our Dreams will continue to live on,” Dayrit assured.