Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee expressed hope that both Paralympic games and Summer Olympic Games would be successfully held next summer, at the same venues. He seemed positive that the events will celebrate humanity, after having overcome the unprecedented coronavirus crisis.
Considering the present times of insecurity and uncertainty, the Olympic rings stand as the ideal symbol of the world coming together and overcoming this pandemic. The interlocked five Olympic rings depict the regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, Americas and Europe, with their respective black, yellow, red, green and blue colours, combined with the white flag in the background. As was conceptualized by the International Olympic Committee founder, Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic flag with its rings represents the five different continents, United with the spirit of Olympics.
Postponement a hard decision for everyone involved
Everyone is looking up to Olympic spirit right now as it would prove crucial in overcoming the ongoing crisis. While all countries may have had different expectations from the Tokyo Olympics, right now these 195 countries must cooperate like never before and work hand-in-hand to come up with a potential Covid-19 solution.
As for Japan, the country scheduled to host the next Olympics, it was only a matter of time after World Health Organisation had declared Covid-19 as a worldwide pandemic that, they would have had to come on board the postponement decision. It wouldn’t have been feasible to risk the lives of thousands of athletes, mediapersons and spectators.
While hosting the Olympic Games always involves plenty of risks, the one-year postponement is going to pose multiple challenges for Japan which had been already battling major economic troubles. Not just that, the Japanese people had been planning for Olympics for several years and were keenly looking forward to welcome the entire world.
The postponement has also been heartbreaking for a great multitude of athletes who had been training hard to peak at just the right time. This includes athletes expected to take part in the Paralympics, which over the years has grown from mere 400 athletes in 1960 to over 4300 today. Many of these are active-duty personnel or military veterans, who got wounded in conflict areas like Afghanistan and Iraq.
The world needs to stand united with Japan right now
There is nothing doubting the fact that the one-year postponement of Tokyo Olympics has sent shockwaves through the entire sporting community of the world, dashing the hopes of many Olympians to bring glory to their respective countries, and boosting the chances of others. The best that the world can do right now is to show solidarity with Japan and determine to support Tokyo Olympics in whatever way they can, after this pandemic comes to an end.
All of us need an event like Olympics to stand united despite all odds, and the Olympics needs us too, more than ever right now. In fact, the modern-day Olympic games is a representation of the best of humanity of the 20th century, and what it can be like during the 21st. Not just stronger, quicker and higher, but also respectful, cooperative and united.