Tokyo Ablaze

Oh boy, it was hot. Bow's editor was extremely privileged to be able to go as a member of the travelling press contingent to the Olympic Games in Japan for the duration of the archery competition. For journalists and athletes alike, there was an extensive list of things that were not permitted: getting on public transport, mixing with the Japanese public, going anywhere that was not on a pre-arranged plan, entering a bar, restaurant, or shop, and even just walking down the street.

It was a strange and disorienting experience, featuring a lot of delivery meals eaten alone in hotel rooms. It was also a job conducted mostly outdoors in mostly searing mid-30s plus temperatures all day long that caused several people – including one team medallist – to keel over. I was struggling with the heat at points; how the small army of staff and volunteers in full uniforms managed it I have no idea. However often the story gets repeated that 80% of the Japanese public were against the Games, a large minority gave up thousands of hours of time and effort in very difficult summer conditions to make it happen, and that's just what I saw in our little sporting corner. The volunteers and gamesmakers get praised every time. They deserve it many times over.

As of this writing, the Games are still going on; time will tell how they will be remembered and the 'story' that will be written. Whatever it will say, it will read remarkably different from what the Japanese government hoped it would be eight years ago. I hope we've brought you some unique flavours of our thing at least.

See you at the Paras,