Former Olympic rhythmic gymnast Kotono Tanaka (L) runs during the Tokyo Olympic torch relay in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Japan, April 23, 2021. /CFP
The Tokyo Olympic torch relay will not happen in Miyakojima, south Japan's Okinawa Prefecture on May 2, announced Okinawa organizers on Friday. Nor will any event be held.
Okinawa Prefecture's executive committee said there will be no alternative date set for the relay and no ceremonial events. It will be the first total cancelation of the torch relay for the coming Tokyo Games since it began on March 25.
Miyakojima is under strict control measures thanks to Japan's COVID-19 protocols. Coronavirus cases have been surging fast in the past few days in the country. As a result, Osaka and Matsuyama have decided to move the torch relay off public roads and away from crowds.
The relay legs in Okinawa's main island will take place at two ceremony venues.
Organizing staff members of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay hold signs urging spectators to wear masks and maintain social distancing in Beppu, April 23, 2021. /CFP
With the Olympics only 90 days away, the pandemic in Japan remains grave, which leads to consequences like the above and puts a big question mark in front of the country: Should the Tokyo Games happen as scheduled or at all?
Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Tokyo Olympic committee, said canceling the games set to open in three months is not being considered. "We are putting our utmost efforts to prepare coronavirus countermeasures so (the public) can understand that the Tokyo Games can be held," said Hashimoto at a press conference on Friday.
The Japanese government declared COVID-19 state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo after that press conference, by the way. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga promised again that the Tokyo Games will be "safe and secure."
The organizing committee has been working hard, trying to figure out the best ways to make the Olympics and Paralympics work. Next week, an updated "playbook" should be released. According to Kyodo News, it will state that athletes will have to have their saliva tested every day during the Games. Moreover, the committee will have to decide as well whether to allow domestic spectators in the competitions in May.