In March 2020, the global coronavirus pandemic made history of a different kind: it became the first non-conflict-related reason for suspending the Olympic Games, which were slated to be held in Tokyo from July 24 to Aug. 9, 2020.
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The last time the Olympic Games were canceled was during World War II. The 1940 Games were scheduled to be held in Japan, but it forfeited its rights in 1937 when it went to war with China. The Summer Olympics were initially relocated to Helsinki, Finland, with the Winter Games set to take place in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but both were canceled following Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939.
Japan eventually hosted that 1964 Summer Olympics and on Sept. 7, 2013, Tokyo won its bid in the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires to again host the games.
Japan was all in, investing some $15.4 billion in staging the games.
And then came COVID-19.
Countries began informing the International Olympic Committee that they would not be sending their athletes to Japan in the midst of a pandemic, and the virus forced preparation to grind to a near-halt.
On March 24, 2020, the IOC, following consultations with the World Health Organization and the Japanese government, announced that it was postponing the games, now set to be held between July 23 and Aug. 8, 2021.
The move was essential "to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community," a joint statement by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and the IOC said.
While 2020 had come and gone, the global pandemic is very much still here: 2021 kicked off with a range of highly transmissible coronavirus mutations, prompting a fresh wave of lockdowns and travel restrictions. The future of the Games was one again clouded with uncertainty.
Moreover, public opinion polls held in Japan over the past few months show growing opposition to holding the Olympic Games, with as many at 80% of Japanese saying the world's biggest multi-sport event should be postponed again or canceled altogether.
The Games' fickle fortune has prompted some in Japan to think they are cursed.
Believers even include Japan's Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who said that the Tokyo Olympics appear to be blighted by world events every four decades.
"It's a problem that happens every 40 years – it's the cursed Olympics, and that's a fact," Aso told parliament after the Games were first postponed.
The IOC currently, however, insists that the Olympics will go ahead as planned, for the mere fact that "there is no Plan B."
IOC President Thomas Bach stated last month that the state of emergency declared in Tokyo over COVID-19 will not hinder the events, saying, "We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on July 23. …This is why there is no 'Plan B' and this is why we are fully committed to make these Games safe and successful."
'Final decision must be made by March'
Last year, International Olympic Committee delegate in Israel Alex Gilady was optimistic – certain, even – that events will take place as scheduled. This time around, he is very cautious when predicting the future of the Tokyo Games.
"I still have heartburn from the hat I ate last year," Gilady told Israel Hayom. "I hope this year I will be able to taste victory vis-à-vis all those who doubt that the Olympic Games can be held."
Gilady, 78, is a former journalist, TV sports commentator, and the former senior vice-president of NBC Sports. He is also the founder and president of Keshet Broadcasting, which operates Channel 12, Israel's largest commercial television outlet. He joined the IOC in 1994.
Q: IOC Chair Thomas Bach recently admitted that "there is no 'Plan B' for the Games. Hasn't the IOC learned its lesson?
"He's right – there is no Plan B. the games will either be held or canceled altogether, which means the next Olympics will be held in Paris in 2024.
"I keep hearing and reading about esoteric plans to hold the games elsewhere, but that's not going to happen. As for the theory that the Games [if canceled] will return to Tokyo down the line – who knows?"
Q: The Times reports that public opinion in Japan has turned against the Olympic Games, and that low national morale could bring about their cancelation.
"All I can say is that it's a shame that such a serious newspaper quoted unnamed sources [as making the claim] so we can't confront them and respond properly.
"The Japanese government wants to hold the Tokyo Games as scheduled and it is sparing no effort to make sure that the summer games are held – in accordance with coronavirus restrictions.
Q: The IOC said it will make its final decision in March. There is no way to know where this is going before that?
"We are working on protocols related to the preparations for the Olympics. We take into account that a decision has to happen in March because if you want to travel with your child to Tokyo to see the Games, you can't wait until the last minute to plan the trip," he explained.
"Will spectators even be allowed to attend? I can't give you a definite answer at this time. I doubt anyone in the world can."
Q: What about the athletes traveling to the Games? This is shaping out to be a very different Olympics.
"Yes, it is. The Olympic village will be smaller, athletes won't be able to move freely and most will stay at the Olympic village for a very short time. They will arrive shortly before their competitions and won't stay long after that. They will also undergo extensive [COVID] testing before, during and after their stay in Tokyo."
Gilady rejected the notion that Western media outlets are not exactly rushing to send crews to cover the Games in Asia.
"The number journalists on the waiting list for approval to cover the games is enormous – it exceeds that number [of press passes] we can provide," he asserts.
"There is a sense in the global media that this event will mark humanity's triumph over the virus, and everyone wants to be there when that happens because they believe it's about to happen, despite some media reports to the contrary."
Q: Will this be your last summer Olympics?
"The members of the International Olympic Committee retire from office at the age of 80 – that's another two years for me. At the same time, this week I had a meeting about Paris 2024 and I continue to work as usual.
"Is this the end for me on the International Olympic Committee? There are many options to continue, as an honorary member, voluntarily – if they want me, of course. But I'm certainly working on Paris Games, and there are more winter games in Beijing before that."
Q: Any thoughts about your successor? Guaranteeing one seems like a difficult task.
"It is a very difficult task indeed, but I think it's an important matter. It has been proven throughout the years that representing our interests in all various [international] institutions is extremely important, especially in view of the challenges we are facing on the international level in the post-Corona years.
"It's also important to me to know that someone will be able to represent us faithfully even after it's time for me to retire."
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