It’s been a long road but it’s ready, set, go for Olympics

THE Tokyo Olympics have weathered a historic postponement, an unprecedented ban on overseas fans and persistent domestic opposition, but with one month to go until the opening ceremony on July 23, the finish line is finally in sight.

The first Olympic teams are already in Japan, along with key officials and some overseas media. And polls suggest long-standing public opposition to the Games may be weakening.

The journey to Tokyo 2020 has been an uphill battle since the unprecedented decision to postpone the Games in March 2020, as the scale of the pandemic started to emerge.

Officials pressed ahead, contending with delayed qualifiers and test events and launching a mammoth effort to draft virus rules they say will keep the event safe.

In March they announced the Games would be the first to bar overseas spectators.

On Monday, organisers set a maximum of 10 000 domestic fans per venue, but warned that events could move behind closed doors if infections surge.

Even with some spectators in the stands, this year’s Games will be a pale imitation of Olympics past. Cheering will be banned, and athletes can’t hug or high-five. They must wear masks except when eating, sleeping or competing, and can only move between the Olympic Village and their venues.

The IOC says more than 80% of those in the Village will be vaccinated, but competitors will still be tested daily.

In a taste of the challenges ahead, a coach from Uganda’s Olympic team tested positive on arrival in Japan on Saturday, despite the delegation being vaccinated and testing negative before travel. Yesterday, the team’s other eight members were put into quarantine until July 3, a local official said.

The Olympic delay and virus security have added at least 294 billion yen (about R38bn) to an already hefty budget of 1.64 trillion yen, which could make Tokyo among the most expensive Summer Games ever.

Despite this, there are signs public opposition is softening, with recent surveys finding 50% percent or more favour the Games going ahead.