Should the Tokyo Olympics be held during the middle of a pandemic?

[King_Kohli]

AOC hits out at ‘racist and colonial policy’ behind Olympic ban for Sha’Carri Richardson’s marijuana use

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has spoken out against the International Olympic Committee’s anti-doping policy after runner Sha’Carri Richardson was banned from competing in the Tokyo Summer Olympics for using marijuan.

“The criminalisation and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy,” the Democratic lawmaker wrote on Twitter. “The IOC should reconsider its suspension of Ms Richardson and any athletes penalised for cannabis use.”

Ms Richardson, 21, was issued a 30-day suspension from the US Olympic team after testing positive for THC, the main chemical in marijuana, in her blood test from the US Olympic Trials,

The ban would run through 27 July, meaning the runner will be unable to compete to see if she’s the world’s fastest female. But the ban would allow her to compete in 4X100-metre relay at the Olympics.

Ms Richardson won the 100-metre dash at a time of 10.86 seconds during the US Olympic Trials last month, which was held in Eugene, Oregon.

The athlete’s ban was announced by the US Anti-Doping Agency on Friday, and it instantly sparked widespread outrage among athletes, celebrities, politicians, and spectators.

“In 2021, at a time when marijuana use is legally accepted in a growing number of US states and around the world, it makes exactly zero sense for regulators to continue to take punitive actions against athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson or anyone else who chooses to consume cannabis in their off-hours,” Erik Altieri, executive director of the advocacy group NORML, said in a statement.

US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart said that the anti-doping rules were clear but added it was “heartbreaking” to see what was happening to Ms Richardson.

“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her,” Mr Tygart said in a statement.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) relaxed its threshold for what constitutes a positive marijuana test by raising it from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 150 nanograms per milliliter following the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This decision was in an effort to detect marijuana usage near competition rather than days or weeks before.

On Friday morning, Ms Richardson expressed regret for smoking marijuana ahead of the US Olympic Trials.

“I apologise,” Ms Richardson said on NBC’s Today show. “As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on the track I represent not only myself, I represent a community that has shown great support, great love ... I apologise for the fact that I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time.”

The athlete said she knew the rules but used marijuana after finding out her biological mother had died.

“We all have our different struggles, we all have our different things we deal with, but to put on a face and have to go out in front of the world and put on a face and hide my pain,” Ms Richardson said. “Who are you? Who am I to tell you how to cope when you’re dealing with a pain or you’re dealing with a struggle that you’ve never experienced before or that you never thought you’d have to deal with. Who am I to tell you how to cope? Who am I to tell you you’re wrong for hurting?”

She was aiming to be the first American female to win the Olympic 100-metre title since Gail Devers in 1996.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/aoc-hits-out-at-racist-and-colonial-policy-behind-olympic-ban-for-sha-carri-richardson-s-marijuana-use/ar-AALJzox?ocid=msedgntp

 

[OMB]

Tokyo Olympics: Serbia Athlete Tests Positive For COVID-19 At Tokyo Airport

Tokyo Olympics: An athlete with the Serbian Olympic rowing team tested positive for coronavirus after arriving at Tokyo's Haneda airport in Japan.

A Serbian Olympic team athlete tested positive for Covid at Tokyo airportThe athlete is part of Serbia's Olympic five-member rowing teamTokyo Olympics are scheduled between July 23- August 8
An athlete with the Serbian Olympic team has tested positive for coronavirus after arriving in Japan, less than three weeks before the Games, a host city official said Sunday. The member of the five-strong rowing team was found to have contracted the virus after a test at Tokyo's Haneda airport upon arrival Saturday, according to an official of Nanto, a central Japanese city, where the team planned to train ahead of the Olympics. The athlete has been isolated, while the remaining four have been transferred to a separate facility near the airport, the official said.

"The members were scheduled to arrive in our city today and start training, but the entire programme is likely to be cancelled," the official told AFP.

The case came as organisers prepare to tighten screening procedures at airports after two members of Uganda's team tested positive following their arrival in Japan last month.

Hidemasa Nakamura, a senior Tokyo 2020 Games official, said last week that Olympic teams should be immediately isolated if they arrive in Japan with a person infected with coronavirus.

Public opinion has been firmly opposed to holding the Games this year over pandemic fears, though recent polls suggest opposition may be softening.

No overseas fans will be allowed and domestic spectators will be capped at 10,000 per event.

https://sports.ndtv.com/olympics/tokyo-olympics-serbia-athlete-tests-positive-for-covid-19-at-tokyo-airport-2478990

 

[Technics 1210]

The Poll needs a 3rd option - Yes - Sports is the ultimate tonic.

 

[OMB]

Japan Announces Virus Emergency In Tokyo Throughout Olympics

With just two weeks until July 23 Olympics opening ceremony, COVID-19 infections are rising in Tokyo, and the spread of the more infectious Delta variant has spooked officials.

Tokyo: Japan's government on Thursday announced a new virus state of emergency stretching throughout the Olympics, as reports said organisers could bar fans from almost all events at the Games.
With just two weeks until the July 23 opening ceremony, coronavirus infections are rising in the capital, and the spread of the more infectious Delta variant has spooked officials.

The rising cases threaten to derail plans to let up to 10,000 local fans into Olympic venues, and could mean Tokyo 2020 is the first ever Games held behind closed doors.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the emergency measures -- which are far looser than the harsh lockdowns seen in other parts of the world -- will be in place until August 22.

But the government could lift the emergency earlier "if the effect of vaccines becomes clear and an improvement is seen in the situation of hospital beds", Suga said.

Earlier in the day, Japan's minister in charge of the virus response Yasutoshi Nishimura warned that new COVID-19 cases were rising in the capital.

"As the movement of people increases, the more infectious Delta variant now accounts for around 30 per cent of cases. This is expected to expand further," he added.

Under the virus emergency, alcohol will be banned at bars and restaurants, which will have to close by 8 pm, Nishimura said. Events such as concerts and conferences will have to end by 9 pm.

And crucially, spectators at events will be capped at 5,000 people or 50 per cent venue capacity, whichever is less.

The decision puts pressure on Olympic organisers who are scrambling to make a final ruling on how many local fans, if any, will be in the stands at the Games.

Several Japanese media outlets said organisers were now likely to bar spectators from all competition venues in Tokyo and three surrounding areas.

Tokyo 2020 organisers are expected to meet with local and national government officials and the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees as early as Thursday evening to make the key decision.

IOC Chief Arrives

While Japan has so far experienced a relatively small virus outbreak, with around 14,900 deaths despite avoiding harsh lockdowns, its vaccination programme has moved comparatively slowly.

Just over 15 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated so far, and there are concerns that the Delta variant could produce a new wave that might quickly overwhelm local medical resources.

Overseas fans have already been barred from attending the Olympics, and organisers last month said they would limit local spectators to 10,000 people or 50 per cent venue capacity.

But they have acknowledged that the figure might be further reduced, saying the Games could even be held behind closed doors if the virus situation worsened and tougher restrictions were imposed in Tokyo.

Ticketholders for oversubscribed events were supposed to find out on Tuesday whether they would still have seats after a lottery to thin the crowds.

But in a sign of the continued wrangling on the issue, those results have now been pushed back until Saturday.

IOC chief Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon, and will have to undergo a three-day quarantine before being allowed limited movement.

Olympic participants generally will not have to observe a full 14-day quarantine, but will face restrictions during their time in Japan, with athletes limited to venues and the Olympic Village and tested daily for the virus.

Tokyo 2020 is struggling to build momentum and enthusiasm for the Games as the final countdown begins.

A torch relay that was supposed to stoke excitement as it travelled nationwide has been taken off public roads in much of the country over virus risks, and even its legs in the capital will now be held without spectators.

And fans have been asked to avoid the route of the Olympic marathon when it is run in northern Hokkaido.

Polls show most Japanese would prefer the Games be postponed again or cancelled outright, though opposition has softened in recent weeks.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/japan-announces-virus-emergency-in-tokyo-throughout-olympics-2482012

 

[MenInG]

The Olympic Games in Japan will be held without spectators at venues in and around the capital after a spike in coronavirus infections.

Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa made the announcement after talks with officials and organisers on Thursday.

A state of emergency in Tokyo will run throughout the Games, to combat coronavirus.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters it would run from 12 July and remain in place until 22 August.

Bars and restaurants will not be allowed to serve alcohol and must close by 20:00 (11:00 GMT).

Venues in Tokyo and other areas near the capital city will not be allowed to hold events with fans during the Games.

But stadiums in the regions of Fukushima, Miyagi and Shizuoka will be permitted to have spectators up to 50% of capacity and up to 10,000 people.

Coronavirus infections are rising in Tokyo as the 23 July opening ceremony edges closer.

There has been widespread opposition to the Games in Japan, with calls for them to be postponed or cancelled.

After meeting government officials, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said: "It is regrettable that we are delivering the Games in a very limited format, facing the spread of coronavirus infections.

"I am sorry to those who purchased tickets and everyone in local areas."

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said that holding Olympic events without spectators was "heart-breaking" for those who wanted to attend. It was not immediately clear if refunds will be made available to some or all ticketholders.

Mr Suga announced the state of emergency in Tokyo earlier in the day.

"Taking into consideration the effect of coronavirus variants and not to let the infections spread again to the rest of the nation, we need to strengthen our countermeasures," the prime minister said.

The state of emergency was announced after a meeting between the organising committee, the government and the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, who has just arrived in Japan.

The Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital between 23 July and 8 August. The Paralympic Games are between 24 August and 5 September.

What's happening with Covid in Japan?

A new wave of infections began in April, but overall the country has had relatively low case numbers and a death toll of around 14,900.

On Wednesday, there were 2,180 new cases reported in the country. Some 920 of those were in Tokyo, up from 714 last week and its highest since 1,010 on 13 May.

Japan's vaccination rollout has been slow, and just over 15% of the country is fully vaccinated. There is rising concern over the threat of the Delta variant.

In Tokyo and Osaka, the two cities hit hardest by the recent surge, authorities hope over-65s will be fully vaccinated by the end of July.

Entry to Japan by foreigners from 159 countries - including the UK - is currently banned.

Do people in Japan want the Olympics?

There is lots of opposition to the Games, which have already been postponed by a year because of Covid-19 and have experienced setbacks, including massive budget overruns.

A June poll in the leading Asahi Shimbun newspaper suggested more than 80% of the population wanted the Games cancelled or postponed.

The paper also called for them to be cancelled.

Public spectator sites have been scrapped and companies have been hesitant about advertising related to the Olympics because of the widespread opposition to them.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Olympics. <a href="https://t.co/ydj1V7jh2t">pic.twitter.com/ydj1V7jh2t</a></p>— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1413263554669645824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[OMB]

USA 83-91 Australia: American stars suffer second shock defeat before Tokyo 2020

The USA men's team have followed their shock loss to Nigeria on Saturday with an exhibition defeat by Australia.

The 15-time Olympic gold medallists lost 91-83 to Australia in Las Vegas in a warm-up for the Tokyo Games.

The defeat is the first time they have lost back-to-back exhibition matches since professional players started representing the team in 1992.

Between July 1992 and July 2021, Team USA lost two exhibition games but have now lost as many in three days.

The team, coached by Gregg Popovich, won Olympic gold at the last three Games.

But after the weekend's 90-87 loss to Nigeria - a first to an African nation - they were unable to find a rhythm, with key names such as Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant held to 17 points. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers finished with a team-high 22.

"After a short time together there are a lot of things that have to be covered," said Popovich.

"In the first half, we defended the way we wanted to defend, the way we did not against Nigeria.

"The second half we tired out. When that happens, you get hit a bit mentally too. We have some guys who need to get their legs and rhythm back. In general we need more conditioning, which is totally understandable."

Australia, one of the favourites to reach the podium in Japan, have never beaten the US in the men's Olympic basketball tournament in eight tries dating back to 1964.

The United States were without three players who are still active in the NBA finals, contested by Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.

They have been drawn in a group with Iran, France and Czech Republic for the Tokyo Games.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/57818015

 

[OMB]

Team GB: Women's football team to take the knee at Tokyo 2020

Great Britain's women's football squad will take the knee before their games at the Tokyo Olympic Games this month.

Earlier this month, it was announced rules around athletes protesting at Tokyo 2020 had been relaxed by the International Olympic Committee.

Team GB head coach Hege Riise said the squad "were all united" in their decision to make the gesture.

"We are glad that the IOC have acknowledged the importance of this form of freedom of expression."

Players in the women's and men's game have been taking the knee to highlight racial injustice.

She added: "We were all united in our decision to continue doing whatever we can to raise awareness of racism and discrimination in all its forms, standing in unity and solidarity with all those whose lives are affected.

"We are clear that taking the knee is an important symbol of peaceful protest against discrimination, injustice and inequality in society."

British Olympic Association's Andy Anson, added: "By taking the knee our women's football side are embodying the values of Team GB."

The Football Association says it "welcomed recent clarification" provided by the IOC.

Under the new rules, athletes will be able to "express their views" before and after competing but cannot do so during events, victory ceremonies and at the Olympic Village.

Last month, England men's international Tyrone Mings said the team wanted to "educate and inform" in response to criticism from Home Secretary Priti Patel for taking the knee.

The England players were booed by some fans for making the gesture prior to their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia at Wembley.

The FA also confirmed Scotland's Kim Little, Wales' Sophie Ingle and England's Steph Houghton have all been named as captains of the Team GB squad.

Each player will wear the armband on rotation throughout the tournament.

Scotland vice-captain Little and England skipper Houghton are also captains at their clubs Arsenal and Manchester City respectively, while Ingle, who plays for Chelsea, wears the armband for Wales.

Team GB's first group game is against Chile on 21 July in Sapporo.

The squad flew out to Japan to begin preparations at a training camp in Yokohama last week.

Midfielder Little wore the armband during a behind-closed-doors friendly against New Zealand on Wednesday, which Team GB are believed to have won 3-0.

Team GB will also face Japan and Canada in Group E. The top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals, as well as the best third-place finishers.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/57846090

 

[Last Monetarist]

It's ridiculous why the Olympics are taking place this year in empty arenas to a backdrop of widespread opposition, the IOC should have seen sense and postponed it for another year. The spread of the delta variant across the globe has potential for a public health disaster the Japanese are definitely ill-equipped to tackle.

The IOC's pigheaded stance to carry on with their plans under the circumstances is utterly appalling.

 

[dildilpak]

Honestly think that the Olympics will not conclude this year - the locals are angry about foreign athletes bringing Covid in thr country, even sponsors like Toyota are dropping out. The Olympics is probably just one cluster of cases away from getting cancelled.

 

[Rafa]

Hope it gets scrapped.

 

[King_Kohli]

Olympics opening ceremony director dismissed on eve of event

The show director of the Olympics opening ceremony has been dismissed, one day before the event is due to be held.

Footage of Kentaro Kobayashi from the 1990s recently emerged in which he seems to be making jokes about the Holocaust.

Japan's Olympic chief Seiko Hashimoto called out the video saying it ridiculed "painful facts of history".

The dismissal is the latest in a string of scandals to hit the Games.

It comes days after a composer quit the team creating the ceremony after it emerged he had bullied classmates with disabilities at school.

Organisers are also dealing with rising Covid case numbers among athletes and officials. On Thursday, organisers said 91 people accredited for the Games have now tested positive for the virus.

After the removal of Mr Kobayashi, organisers are now re-assessing how to hold Friday's event.

"With the opening ceremony being so imminent, we apologise for causing concern to those involved in the Olympics, to the citizens of Tokyo and the Japanese public," Ms Hashimoto said in a statement.

Kentaro Kobayashi, who used to be a comedian, has been heavily criticised for the comments, including from global rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC).

"Any person, no matter how creative, does not have the right to mock the victims of the Nazi genocide," Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director said.

Mr Kobayashi also issued a statement responding to his dismissal.

"Entertainment should not make people feel uncomfortable. I understand that my stupid choice of words at that time was wrong, and I regret it," it said.

Olympic composer quits after bullying past emerges
The organisers of the Tokyo games have had to deal with other high-profile resignations too.

In March, creative chief Hiroshi Sasaki quit after suggesting that plus-size comedian Naomi Watanabe could appear as an "Olympig". He later apologised.

And in February, Yoshiro Mori was forced to step down as the head of the organising committee after he made remarks about women that were criticised as "inappropriate".

Mr Mori was quoted as saying women talked too much and that meetings with many female board directors would "take a lot of time".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57924885

 

[King_Kohli]

TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIVE COVID CASES ABOVE 100

The number of positive cases affecting individuals with Olympic accreditations rose by 19 - the highest daily number yet - on the day of the opening ceremony, taking the number who have tested positive since July 1 past the hundred mark.

Three of the latest to test positive were athletes, one of whom was residing in the Olympic Village.

One was an athlete from the Netherlands while there were two more cases confirmed by the Czech Republic, taking the number of positives in the Czech camp alone to six.