Are The Rings Worth The Risk
Written by Chloe Lipton, Contributing Writer
Every four years, thousands of athletes from around the globe converge in one city in the heart of summer and march through a stadium. Their flags blowing, athletes waving as they sport their nation’s colors and spirit. It’s both entertainment and representation. Some people tune in for the thrill of the competition, others watch to support their country and some have sacrificed time and energy to have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games.
Like many events in 2020, the Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re now scheduled to begin in Tokyo on July 23, 2021. But should they even happen?
The short answer is no. While I enjoy watching almost any friendly competition, these games would come at the cost of public safety. According to ESPN, in addition to coaches and staff, “More than 11,000 athletes from over 200 countries are expected to descend on Tokyo for the Games” (Maine). The delegates participating in the Olympics will arrive from countries at varying rates of infection, and it would be foolish to risk the health of the population of Tokyo, the competitors, and their supporters they could infect upon return home.
On February 3, 2021, Tokyo and the International Olympic Committee released a handbook called “The Playbook” detailing the rules and regulations for the competitors. With only 32 pages, this is shockingly brief for an event with the potential to be a super spreader. Participants will have to monitor their health 14 days prior to departure, test negative within 72 hours of their flight and test again upon arrival in Japan (IOC). However, there is notably no vaccination requirement.
Vaccines are becoming increasingly available in many countries, and according to the Center for Disease Control, COVID-19 vaccinations efficacy is reliable and protective providing a strong level of safety and protection for those in Tokyo this summer.
It is important to note that different countries have varying levels of vaccines available, so a vaccine requirement might be disadvantageous for many. Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee is making a bold decision to leave this out of their rules or recommendations.
Some might argue that the testing, social distancing and mask wearing will be enough to keep the virus at bay for two weeks and that the games should go on as planned. Notably, the Olympics have only been canceled three times throughout history: “once during World War I and twice during World War II” (Roos). The event has persisted in the face of Nazi Germany in 1936, a massacre of student protestors in Mexico City in 1968 and a terrorist attack against Israeli athletes in 1972. Canceling due to the COVID-19 pandemic would certainly deviate from the strong show must go on track record.
Some athletes have waited their whole lives for an opportunity to compete in front of the world. Not to mention, the games are not just for the delegations; there’s a huge spectator element. With the recent passing of the one year anniversary when many of us stopped going to in-person school or work and began this quarantine, spirits are low and many people feel isolated. Two weeks of sports entertainment and a reason to get your hopes up could be a metaphorical cure to the world’s current state of affairs. Cheering on your country or favorite athlete could bring people a taste of normalcy.
Watching the Olympics brings many people joy. I for one, have many photos of my brother and I decked out in red, white and blue, proudly posing in front of the television with Team USA in the background. Despite all this, the stakes are high and the gains seem relatively low. The cancellation of the Olympic Games would be another on the long list of traditions wiped out by COVID-19. However, now is the time for public figures to set a good example for the world. As vaccinations continue to roll out, the end is near. We just need to stick it out and stay safe a bit longer.
D. Maine, “Are the Tokyo Olympics Really Going to Happen?”, ESPN, February 17, 2021. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/30861660/are-tokyo-olympics-really-going-happen
“Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Vaccines”, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, March 11, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
“The Playbook: International Federations”, International Olympic Committee, February 2021. https://stillmedab.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Games/Summer-Games/Games-Tokyo-2020-Olympic-Games/Playbooks/The-Playbook-International-Federations.pdf#--ga=2.92307742.2045071225.1612263007-1046768819.1582034366
D. Roos, “When World Events Disrupted the Olympics”, History, March 24, 2020. https://www.history.com/news/olympics-postponed-cancelled