Olympics sponsors fear negative effects 3:28
Tokyo (CNN) -
The covid-19 pandemic has loomed large over the Tokyo Olympics since the postponement last year, shaping Games like never before.
When the opening ceremony kicks off this Friday, it will end months of speculation about whether the Olympics could go ahead, as well as raise more questions about how Covid-19 could shape the weeks ahead.
Tokyo 2020 will host some 11,000 athletes, representing more than 200 countries, and will be housed in 21 residential buildings.
Tokyo Olympic Stadium before the opening 1:11
However, not all of these athletes will be in Tokyo for the entire duration of the Games.
Organizers say the athletes are expected to arrive at the Olympic Village five days before the competition and depart a maximum of two days after.
Still, that represents a major logistical headache for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the local organizing committee.
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Minute by minute: The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are here
Resistance in Japan against the Olympics
Added to that is the long-standing resistance to hosting the Olympics among the Japanese public.
"Recent polls consistently show that 60-80% of the Japanese public oppose the Games," Satoko Itani, associate professor of sports, gender and sexuality at Kansai University in Japan, told CNN Sport.
"Their main concern is covid-19, but there is also growing frustration and anger towards attitudes and a blatant disrespect for people's lives here from the IOC, the Japanese government and the organizing committee," he added.
When contacted by CNN Sport, the IOC referenced President Thomas Bach's comments at a press conference in Tokyo last Saturday: "Even in Japan, there was never 100% support for the Olympics ... this is part of democracy, there will always be different opinions, "said Bach.
He later added that he wanted to reassure the public in the organizers' "strict covid measures".
The torch for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games features a pink sakura design with five flames turning into one.
(Credit: Charly Triballeau / AFP / Getty Images)
The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee told CNN Sport that the Games will be "especially significant as a message of solidarity and coexistence."
"The world is facing unprecedented challenges, including covid-19," he said.
"This is an opportunity to show the world the approaches that the city of Tokyo and the nation of Japan have taken to solve these problems," he added.
'If you can't execute the plan, then the plan is not good'
A record 1,979 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Tokyo on Thursday, the highest since January 15, and there have been 91 positive cases linked to the Games so far as those arriving in Tokyo undergo a test. rigorous testing program.
"Frequent testing will mean that we will continue to see cases as they arise, which is the way the system should work," said Tara Kirk Sell, a former US Olympic swimmer and now an assistant at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Bloomberg tells CNN Sport the organizers' plans to contain the virus.
Olympics sponsors fear negative effects 3:28
"The real question that remains is: will these measures be implemented in a way that makes them work? It is about implementation. If the plan cannot be executed, then the plan is not good," he said.
In early July, the decision was made not to have spectators at venues in Tokyo and several other prefectures, while 85% of the participating athletes have been vaccinated against covid-19.
Sanitary measures everywhere at the Olympic Games
A large number of countermeasures have been implemented, such as rules on the use of masks, personal hygiene, social distancing in and around the venues and the Olympic Village, where most of the athletes are housed, and an application to record the status of health of the attendees.
Athletes have strict arrival and departure dates around their events and may only leave the Olympic Village to go to the Games venues and other limited locations.
Commitments to the media have also been reduced.
Athletes who have had to leave the Olympic Games due to covid-19
Bach has called Tokyo the "best prepared city ever" to host the Games, and the organizers have spared no effort to ensure that the Games can be held safely.
But public concerns persist.
"The spread of the virus outside the 'bubble' due to the Olympics has already begun," adds Itani.
"Since the delta variant is becoming the dominant strain in Tokyo, this can escalate quickly," he warned.
Some athletes also have to come to terms with the devastating news of a positive test, either before or after arriving at the Games.
"I am heartbroken ... my Olympic journey ends here," Dutch figure skater Candy Jacobs wrote on Instagram this week after testing positive in Tokyo.
"I feel healthy and I have done my best to avoid this scenario and have taken all precautions," he said.
'Virtual animation'
For competing athletes, the Games will clearly have a very different complexion compared to others, mainly due to the absence of fans.
Those likely to make headlines over the next 16 days include American gymnast and defending Olympic champion in the singles category, Simone Biles, American swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, and Japanese tennis star and four. times Grand Slam winner.
Naomi Osaka.
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In athletics, there have been a number of new world records in preparation for Tokyo, including Karsten Warholm in the 400m hurdles, Ryan Crouser in the throw and Letesenbet Gidey in the 10,000m, which improved the record. Sifan Hassan's World Cup two days earlier.
Skating, karate, sport climbing, and surfing have recently been added to the Olympic program in Tokyo, while baseball and softball are making a comeback.
The absence of spectators, which will be the case in 97% of competitions, is unprecedented at the Olympics, with "virtual cheers" and a screen for fans to send selfies and messages to be used instead.
Takeshi Niinami, CEO of the Japanese beverage company Suntory, told CNN Business that the decision to ban viewers will cause a "huge" financial loss, while Itani warns that the Games will leave Japan "billions of dollars." in debt.
The challenge for athletes
Athletes will have become accustomed to the COVID-19 countermeasures, such as repeated tests and fan-free venues, which have been implemented at sporting events during the pandemic.
Circumstances are likely to affect all competitors differently.
"The important thing for athletes is really trying to stick to their routine and stick to their process," says Sell, who won a silver medal in the women's 4x100m mixed relay at the 2004 Olympics.
"I think there will be things that can confuse people. Not having a crowd will be strange to a lot of people, but for others, it may just be a lack of distraction and being able to focus more closely on their events. We will have to see how it works." he claimed.
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Weight absences
As for some of the athletes who will not be at this year's Olympics, there will be notable absences from the tennis competition with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal leaving due to injuries;
Coco Gauff had to withdraw after testing positive before traveling to Tokyo, while Serena Williams has decided not to compete.
Some sports, such as baseball, softball, soccer, and shooting, have been held before Friday, the day of the opening ceremony.
After that, the events get thick and fast.
Over the next 16 days, it will be up to the athletes to try to clarify what has been a troublesome Olympics with a complicated and protracted backlog.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
