Lonely affair: The Olympic cauldron was lit during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony in Tokyo without any spectators. — Reuters
ON July 8, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in Tokyo until Aug 22, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. As the number of cases continue to rise, the Tokyo Olympic Games, currently on until Aug 8, 2021, has been subjected to a strict ban on spectators for the sporting events.
The new restriction doubtless came as a disappointment to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who has been eager to showcase the Games as a symbol of Japan’s ability to overcome the difficulties it has faced since the 2011 earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. As such, there will be no roaring cheers at any of the races or other larger competitions. The festive mood in Tokyo has quickly evaporated, as has any hope of a boost to the local economy.
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