Link to article: https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/57083549
In a shocking move, the United States track and field team has canceled its pre-Olympic training in Japan over the growing concern of the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. Tokyo is to host the 2020 (2021) Olympic games starting on July 23, 2021 but is now under a state of emergency due to the surge of Covid-19. The American’s had a training facility in Chiba, Japan, but has decided to cancel for their athlete’s safety as per a Japanese government spokesperson. The American’s are not alone with their concerns. Over 60% of Japanese want the Olympics to be cancelled. Even Japanese athletes are voicing their concern about the Olympics this summer. Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka said she was “not really sure” if the Olympics should happen this summer. These opinions may be swayed by the Japanese government wanting enough Covid 19 vaccinations to cover about 2,500 unvaccinated athletes. Japan has vaccinated about 2.6% of the total population leaving almost 97% of the population unvaccinated. The desire to vaccinate the athletes over the rest of the population is not popular with the public and also is making its sponsors nervous as well. Toyota is being quoted as saying that the public being discontent with the athletes is making Toyota feel conflicted.
The prioritization of those to be vaccinated has been an issue the world has had to face this year. It has caused many ethical questions globally as to how to vaccinate the population with who should get the priority to be vaccinated. Here in the United States there has been questions as to how to handle sports athletes and I know hockey has had to change how the season worked to keep teams in a “bubble” situation. At the Olympics, you cannot have a bubble for competition. I would tend to agree with the Japanese in wishing to cancel the Olympics again to be able to keep the citizens safe.
The Olympics is seen as a unifying event for the planet. These athletes have worked their entire lives to make it here. It is sad that their dreams would not be fulfilled if the Olympics are to be cancelled but putting athletes before those at great risk of Covid-19 is not a popular choice. The ethical question of who gets the priority to the vaccination is a debate. Do we protect those at risk or those putting themselves at risk of catching Covid-19. One thing is for sure, the planet is longing to get back to normal.