They are not ruling out canceling them. I think there is a good chance they might mid way through, especially if they athletes continue to contract the virus.
@coyote, it is a shame the Olympics were not moved to the fall like the '88 olympics were held for S. Korea It would have also bought Japan more time to vaccinate their people. These breakthrough cases are rough.
Need some good Olympics news? Here is some, sorta I guess. Because of all of the covid restrictions in place for this Olympics, the carbon footprint is projected to be much smaller than anticipated.
Need some good Olympics news? Here is some, sorta I guess. Because of all of the covid restrictions in place for this Olympics, the carbon footprint is projected to be much smaller than anticipated.
Oh, I like that news. Thank you for posting.
I recently read a piece in which the author characterized civilizations as "linear construct within vast non-linear systems" (or something like that). The Olympics seem to embody modern global civilization's ever shaky faith in linearity. The idea that every four years a select city can construct several billion dollars worth of venues and that tens of thousands of athletes, trainers, organizers, and journalists (plus tourists) can then converge on the assemblage is a product of a time when global economic and environmental conditions were stable, but that's not the case anymore. It's pretty clear that the climatic and economic bounds of our paradigm are just getting started with an exponential phase shift.
So if the Tokyo games are cancelled at the 11th hour or mid-way, that could be a blessing in disguise, since it would force global civilization to further reckon with its conceit of linearity.
@coyote Your comment seems to fit why Brisbane was just chosen to host a future summer Olympics? They already have 80% of the infrastructure. Same with LA hosting a future summer Olympics, much of the infrastructure for the games is already present. Unlike what happened to Greece which didn't eve use the stadium after really and it was left to rot...
Not sure if this is better in the Covid thread or here but it fits both threads.
What I noticed most of this clip of Jill Biden arriving in Tokyo for the Olympics was her mask, meaning she IS masked. Likely a requirement from Tokyo and the IOCC. But, it makes you wonder, she is fully vaccinated and outside and everyone is wearing a mask. OUTSIDE.
I have been wearing a mask indoors for the most part and will likely increase it to nearly all the time again around others because of the Delta variant..
But we are talking outside...this virus has Tokyo terrified I think. How does the U.S. explain science and the virus now if she is wearing a mask outside? Olympic science is different than CDC science?
I didn't know Brisbane was just selected as a host city. But yeah, I've thought about how Los Angeles and Paris were both selected as future host cities at the same time, so even the IOC is trying to adjust to an emerging awareness that conditions are different.
This approach might work for the summer games, but the winter games are a whole other animal, since you need a host city that is close enough to cold, snowy mountains. The IOC can select its winter hosts 10-12 years in advance, but in 10-12 years climate conditions can change drastically. I expect that the Winter Olympics will stop being held in my lifetime.
Who is enjoying the Olympics so far? It is nice to actually have the games as a distraction to everything going on in the world.
I love the new skateboarding events and can't believe there are 13 year old girl skateboarders competing in the Olympics! They are amazing! I am looking forward to surfing too.
Anyone else finding themselves happy for ALL competitors perhaps more so this year than other Olympics, not just the ones from your country?
There certainly some issues with this Olympics but I am happy that these hard working athletes are finally able to chase their dreams.
@lovendures Good morning! My husband I are enjoying the Olympics immensely. It’s the time I personally feel most patriotic—in support of our country’s athletes—and, as you say, also cheering for the world’s athletes.
I find that I’m grateful for their dedication, perseverance and representation of their host countries. Pride wells up and I’m grateful that we all can connect in positive and invigorating ways. Joy arises which makes me feel happier in these stressful times. I missed the skateboarding but watched a little surfing, the newest sport. I esp love the swimming matches prob bc I love to swim. Looking forward to all of it! U.S.A!!!
Love that they have skateboarding in the Olympics now. Love it even more, that 13 year olds are schooling the grown-ups in Olympic Skateboarding!
I'm so old, that when i was a 13 y.o. skateboarder, it was still called Sidewalk Surfing
Don't be afraid to try the newest sport around
Bust your buns, bust your buns now
It's catchin' on in every city and town