What's Gonna Happen With the Tokyo Olympics?

Despite the pandemic, it's looking like the 2021 Tokyo Olympics will be happening. The Olympics are to be held on July 23, despite any prior assumptions that they could be canceled altogether. Much of the Japanese population however seems to be against hosting the Olympics. It would be dangerous and result in exposure for both the athletes and the spectators.

According to the Guardian, 60% of the Japanese population want the Olympics to be cancelled altogether. Many took to the streets in protest against hosting the Olympics. They argue that the Olympics should not be held as Tokyo is actually in a state of emergency. Tokyo is racking up Covid cases quickly, only three months before the Olympics are set to happen. Also, only 1% of the Japanese population is vaccinated against Covid 19.

Japanese health care workers also do not favor hosting the Olympics. Mostly due to the fact that Tokyo is already in its third state of emergency. According to the Washington Post, “Japan’s already overloaded health system can’t cope with the additional demands the Games will bring without putting more lives at risk.”

“The Japanese people have demonstrated their perseverance throughout their history, and it's only because of this ability of the Japanese people to overcome adversity that these Olympic Games under these very difficult circumstances are possible,” says the president of the International Olympics Committee. Despite the peoples’ opinion and efforts, Tokyo officials are determined to make the Olympics happen.