The discussions about hosting the Olympic Games in Tokyo continue to make waves.
In an interview with Merkur, SPD politician Kevin Kühnert talks about the IOC's strategy and help for the athletes.
1
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Do you think it makes sense for the IOC to stick to the plans for the Olympic Games in Tokyo?
Nobody knows today what the corona situation will be like in summer in Tokyo and the athletes' countries of origin.
Corona mutations and comparable developments are unpredictable.
The IOC should discuss when the latest possible time for a decision to host the Games may be.
Months in advance I do not think it is possible to make a serious decision.
2. For many athletes, their entire career depends on the Olympics. Is it therefore correct to only consider a possible cancellation as the last option?
I find it more than meager that IOC President Thomas Bach says there is “no plan B”.
I have no sympathy for such statements.
The IOC must now involve the athletes much more closely in the planning and decision-making.
I understand your displeasure very much.
The cancellations of various national players before the handball world championship have shown that athletes also want to protect themselves and their families - even if the longing for the competition is great after years of preparation.
Likewise, there are athletes who insist on being able to hold their competitions.
The IOC must consider both perspectives and conduct a dialogue on an equal footing.
After all, the heart of every Olympic Games is made up of the athletes and not the association officials.
This also includes discussing various scenarios and already talking about financial issues.
Most Olympians are not highly paid professionals, but rely on the support of national umbrella organizations.
The DOSB alone manages 30 million euros, which the IOC distributes to it per Olympiad.
Numerous athletes and their livelihoods depend on it.
They are more helpful with resilient agreements in the event of a cancellation than with perseverance, which could collapse like a house of cards in a few months.
3. Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called the Olympic staging "evidence of human victory over the pandemic, a symbol of global solidarity" and is determined that the Games will bring "hope and courage around the world". Can you understand these arguments?
Of course, sports events convey a feeling of normality, can provide support and offer variety in the dreary Corona everyday life.
I experience that in myself. In the current situation, there is still only one acceptable yardstick for decisions of global importance - and that is the health and safety of everyone involved.
To propagandistically promote the decision about individual events to a victory over the pandemic or a patriotic task is dangerous.
The pandemic has not yet been defeated and that will not be the case in summer either.
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4. Are major sporting events generally justifiable during a pandemic?
That cannot be said across the board.
In the months since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have seen successful examples with good concepts that have not created any sources of infection.
But we also saw events like the handball world championship, in which entire teams could not participate and individual games were canceled.
In general, the bigger the event, the greater the risk.
Interview: Nico-Marius Schmitz