Sporting disobedience sports in Japan

Criticism of Olympic players in Japan is getting louder – even among officials and affected people

The Olympic Games, as it is repeatedly called, are designed primarily for athletes: inside. This is your chance to cross yourself in front of an audience of billions, to make your own country proud, to become famous with Fringe Sport. Athletes have been working towards this opportunity for years. And when the Olympic Games begin, even a dream will come true without victory. Everything is there.

In the run-way to the Tokyo Games, there was little to hear from such an enthusiastic chorus of anticipation. Epidemics are a major problem and concern for sports classes worldwide. Where can I be vaccinated and when? What should I look for in the event of an infection? What will happen to outstanding qualifying events? Many questions remain open. Among other things, this original one: Do you really need to be a part of these games?

A year ago it was athletes from overseas who practically forced a one-year moratorium in summer 2020 through publicly revealed suspicions about the Games. Because after repeated assurances that the games would go according to plan, the Tokyo organizers only gave when the national associations of Australia and Canada explicitly reiterated the concerns of some athletes. But in the country where “Tokyo 2020” was going to be the biggest platform for athletes: in Japan.

After a year it is different. A survey of 42 Japanese athletes by radio station NHK was carried out around the turn of the year documents in suspicion and least anticipated anticipation. 38 percent said that their motivation in the current situation is waning. In addition, 26 percent found that public debate about the usefulness of these games had an impact on their minds as well.

And the whole thing is no longer just anonymous. Long distance runner Hitomi Nia, known for her strong opinions, said in an interview when asked if she was looking forward to the Olympics: “As an athlete, I want to pull this . As a person, I do not want this. “In early August he announced that the game could also be canceled” if the citizens were against it. Nia probably told about herself as well. Because she has already said: “Frankly, I think life is more important than the Olympic Games.”

“There are more important things”

Sports official Kaori Yamaguchi, a bronze medalist in judo at the 1988 Seoul Games and a member of the executive committee of the Japanese Olympic Committee, has also expressed doubts. In an opinion article in the liberal newspaper “Asahi Shimbun” she complained: “The state of leaving people behind and only going through the game is not in the core sporting spirit of the Olympics. It seems to be about politics, about economics.” Is about, cold thoughts. “

IOC President Thomas Bach has urged the world not to discuss any further failure. “All these speculations hurt the athletes in their preparation.” It is unclear what further harms the athletes: being silent about the dangers or talking openly about them. Japanese bronze medalist Takuiya Henda at the 2016 Rio Games Canoe Slalom, said of his preparation for the Olympic Games: “I think there are more important things at the moment. I have to think carefully about every step, today and tomorrow Is. The world is full of risks right now. “These days, everything is not for everyone.