China -- where the COVID-19 outbreak was first detected -- will hold three mega-sports events within a year after the Tokyo Games are set to close.
TOKYO -- Uncertainty grips next year's postponed Tokyo Olympics: Will there be fans or empty stadiums in 14 months? And how will thousands of athletes, staff, and technical officials travel, be housed, and stay safe amid COVID-19?China -- where the COVID-19 outbreak was first detected -- will hold three mega-sports events within a year after Tokyo is set to close.The World University Games in Chengdu in western China open 10 days after the Tokyo Games close, with up to 8,000 athletes.
Voters in Europe and North America have repeatedly said "no" to referendums to hold the games. China landed the 2022 Winter Olympics when several European bidders withdrew. Beijing won narrowly in a vote by the IOC against Almaty, Kazakhstan. Japanese and International Olympic Committee officials have given few details about how the Tokyo Olympics will be staged, the cost of postponement, and who will pay for it. They've teased the problems and floated tenuous solutions. They've agreed on one thing: If the games can't open on July 23, 2021, they'll be cancelled.
The biggest challenge might be guaranteeing the safety of fans who have already bought millions of tickets. If there are no fans, will there be refunds? Will there be lawsuits? Tickets provide at least $800 million income for local organizers with the added cost of postponement estimated in Japan at $2 billion to $6 billion.
"The impact of the pandemic is still unforeseeable and we are still studying the situation and need to discuss with FISU about what to do to reduce the impact and ensure the safety of all participants," Wang wrote in a email to the AP. The Associated Press emailed questions about Beijing 2022 preparations to Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC vice-president who oversees Beijing preparations. He did not immediately reply to the request, nor to a follow-up. Beijing could also face the issues of athlete quarantines, fewer fans, and the fear of spreading the virus even more.
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