It has to be a concern. Today marks the 100-day countdown to the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games. Yesterday’s total of 510 infections in the city was 111 higher than it was a week ago and there are calls for another state of emergency to be declared across the country.
An opinion poll taken on Monday has revealed that less than 25 per cent of those questioned believe the games should go ahead.
40 per cent feel it should be cancelled and the balance suggests a second postponement.
The IOC has already said that this is not an option so the pressure is on.
We already know that the Games in the Olympics and the Paralympics will take place with limited audiences, and no friends or family travelling into the country.
Athletes and National Olympic Committees will carry on preparations with confidence that things will happen as planned. Allowing any doubt to creep into your mind as an athlete would have a serious impact on pushing that last burst of energy in training.
In the Onside Sport Industry Monitor, in collaboration with Sport for Business, that we published yesterday, suggested that 62 per cent of our audience were very or somewhat optimistic of both the Olympics and the Paralympics going ahead and being completed on time. 24 per cent expressed themselves to be not very optimistic that they will go ahead, a neat reverse symmetry with the figures from Japan.
We have to remain hopeful but we need to be taking a look at the infection numbers in Japan with equal interest to what is happening closer to home.
Sport for Business Partners
