NO FUN GAMES?
Olympians must navigate strict rules, which could take away enjoyment in Tokyo
Sydney McLaughlin turns 22 three days after the 400-meter hurdles final in Tokyo, in which she might win Olympic gold and may even lower her current world record. Her big birthday plans?
“Try and find a cupcake and then blow out the candles by myself,” McLaughlin said.
Welcome to the no-fun Olympics, where celebrations and camaraderie will be muted by stringent rules and regulations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Navigating the Tokyo Games may prove to be anything but a piece of cake. Masks and social distancing of 2 meters (more than 6 feet) are strictly required. Hugging is a nono when celebrating. Meals in big groups are to be avoided. Alcohol must be consumed in one’s room — and alone. Family interactions are basically reduced to video chatting.
Not exactly the once-in-a-lifetime experience many athletes were envisioning.
“In my head, it’s going to be like a really cool jail — like you’re going to be super excited, but you’re still in jail,” American archer and three-time Olympic medalist Brady Ellison said. “But when we get there, it may not be nearly as bad as what we think it is, right?”
The lengthy playbook — a guideline for
a “safe and successful Games” — is filled with “cannots” and “do nots.” Consequences for slip-ups range from warnings to fines to maybe even worse — expulsion? — for the roughly 15,400 athletes expected to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics.
Athletes are taking the heavy restrictions — no shaking hands, don’t walk around the city, eat alone when possible — in stride because there’s a big silver lining. They’re finally green-lighted to compete after the Games were postponed a year because of the pandemic.
“They’re sacrificing a lot,” U.S. men’s basketball and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “They can’t take their friends or family to Tokyo. It’s a huge sacrifice, and I think they deserve a lot of credit for that.”
Then again, athletes have become adept at being flexible.
“I guess the one thing the pandemic has taught me is not to have any expectations and always expect this constant unknown,” said U.S. women’s volleyball player Jordan Larson, who’s heading to her third Olympics. “It’s going to be different than our past experiences, for sure. But I also think we’re going to look back and be like, ‘Whoa, remember that time we played in an Olympic Games in the middle of the pandemic?’ ”
Another wrinkle to overcome: homesickness. Most family members will only be allowed to offer support virtually.
“It’s going to be sad for a lot of families and friends,” Larson said, “just because it is such a special moment in life.”
The stage is set, though, for some gold-medal-worthy performances on social media. Let the singing and dancing commence on TikTok, which wasn’t around for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
“I feel like it’s going to a very socialmedia-heavy Olympics, given the fact that everyone is going to be stuck in their rooms,” American 400-meter hurdler Rai Benjamin said.
To fill the down time between practice and competitions, participants are turning to a variety of activities:
American high jumper Vashti Cunningham plans to catch up on episodes of “Naruto,” an anime series on Netflix.
Paralympian cyclist/barista Oksana Masters intends to open a coffee bar in her room, bringing plenty of coffee beans and her grinder to serve fellow athletes.
Sylvia Fowles will spend some time in Tokyo studying mortuary sciences. The 2017 WNBA MVP and three-time gold medalist for the U.S. women’s basketball team has to be ready after the Olympics. “Just waiting to take national boards,” she said.
Ellison will hit the virtual links inside his room via a golf simulator, with “tee times” at famed courses such as St. Andrews in Scotland
“IN MY HEAD, IT’S GOING TO BE LIKE A REALLY COOL JAIL.”
“IT’S VERY RESTRICTIVE. YOU CAN’T BE A TOURIST.” GRACE LUCZAK, rower, on Olympians not being allowed to stick around Tokyo long after their events
and Augusta National.
“It will be nice to have a little bit of movement,” Ellison said. “You kind of turn to jelly when you have to sit in a hotel room.”
One of the symbols of the celebratory atmosphere of the Olympics is the longstanding distribution of condoms. In Rio, for instance, officials doled out 450,000 through vending machines and with signs that read “Celebrate with a Condom.” This time, there will be 150,000 given to athletes only as they leave for home.
Speaking of leaving for home, athletes are asked to pack up and depart no more than 48 hours after they’re done competing.
“It’s very restrictive. You can’t be a tourist,” U.S. rower Grace Luczak said. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to stay around to see all the rowing events finish.”
A totally different Olympics, for sure. Everyone’s just trying to make the most of the unprecedented situation.
“We’ll cheer . . . from afar,” said Nancy Smith, the mother of U.S. volleyball player David Smith. “It’s not the same. But we’re thankful he gets to go.”