The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which had been postponed for one year due to Corona 19, were once again controversial for cancellation.
This is because there is no sign of an end to the Corona 19 incident, and the situation has become so severe that even the host country, Japan, has declared an emergency.
Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government have repeatedly expressed their will to open on July 23 as scheduled.
However, there are so many obstacles that must be overcome until the summit is held, and doubts are growing whether it will be done properly.
In fact, in common sense, it is correct to cancel the Olympics.
It is almost impossible to become a'global village festival' even if the Olympics are held in the unprecedented situation of Corona 19, which is hitting the world.
The'complete Olympics', which former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe so longed for, has now passed.
However, the IOC and Japan cannot realistically give up the Olympics.
The biggest reason is money too.
If the Tokyo Olympics are canceled, the IOC will not be able to receive a broadcast fee of about 2.7 trillion won, and will suffer a huge loss of sponsor income.
Japan loses not only the direct losses of tens of trillions of won, but also the expected indirect economic effects.
In short, cancellation is a huge disaster for the IOC and Japan.
The IOC is not only concerned about money, but another concern.
The IOC is an existing organization for the Olympics.
If the Tokyo Olympics are canceled due to the epidemic of Corona 19, the Beijing Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to open in February 2022, are also at stake.
If another virus outbreaks in early 2024, the 2024 Olympics should be canceled with the same logic.
In the history of the Olympics, the only reason the Olympics were canceled was war.
If you cancel the Olympics for reasons other than war, this will set a precedent and you will be controversial over the cancellation.
If the Olympics are repeatedly canceled, the IOC will cease to exist.
That's why IOC Chair Thomas Bach continues to express his will.
So, can the Tokyo Olympics be held properly?
When the opinions of domestic and foreign experts are combined, it is promising that if the Olympics are finally enforced, it will be a'transformed Olympics' or'reduced Olympics'.
Chairman Bach said in an interview with Kyoto News Agency in Japan recently that "there is no B plan", but if the Corona 19 does not get worse than it is now, the Tokyo Olympics will inevitably be played with the'B plan'.
This is the'B Plan' that the IOC and Japan think of.
The most important thing in the Olympics is the safety of the athletes.
It is best to get the vaccine for all Olympic athletes, but it is unlikely that this will happen.
There is no way to force an athlete to refuse vaccination because the situation of obtaining the vaccine is different in each country and, above all, concerns about the side effects of the vaccine.
Some argue that only vaccinated athletes will compete in the Olympics, and non-vaccinated athletes will be disqualified from the competition, but in this case, it is likely to bring a fierce backlash that violates personal rights.
Therefore, the IOC is expected to create guidelines at the level of asking for a negative Corona 19 certificate from all participating athletes, leaders, and referees, and ``recommending'' the vaccine to be vaccinated if possible.
It's a dilemma that even the audience can't miss.
For safety,'no audience' is best.
However, there is a high possibility that the meaning of the Olympics, which is the'Festival of Peace for Humanity' is unprecedented, and the meaning of the Olympics is likely to fade.
Above all, Japan must give up about 1 trillion won of admission ticket income.
That's why it's talking about reducing the size of the audience.
Chairman Thomas Bach said at a video press conference with SBS in October last year, "A full audience is ideal, but it is unlikely that it will be possible in reality."
The IOC and Japan have a plan to prevent infection through'distance' after entering only 30% or 50% of the total spectator.
At the Olympics, athletes compete for medals, but the media around the world are competing for coverage.
But this time, it is expected to be quite different.
The media measure envisioned by the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee is to maintain a certain distance by installing a'transparent screen' when journalists interview players.
In addition, we are considering drastically reducing the number of reporters entering the mix zone (joint coverage area) and press conference hall (press room).
For reporters who have not been able to enter the press conference, a separate online channel will be opened to watch player interviews.
The players who are most concerned about the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics right now are probably the players.
It's the same as a player who has already won the right to qualify, or a player who is sweating to win.
My national athlete A, who I met, said, "Even if there is a virus more terrifying than Corona 19, the Olympics must be open. I have been watching only the Olympics for more than 10 years. I said with strength.
In contrast, national athlete B said, "I hope the Olympics will be held too. However, if the event is held in a situation where safety is not secured, a large-scale infection is concerned. I don't want to be hit first because the side effects of the vaccine are not known." Revealed.
Will the 2020 Tokyo Olympics be canceled for the first time ever due to an epidemic?
Or is it possible to overcome Corona 19 and finally light the torch?
Considering that the IOC General Assembly will open on March 10 and the torch relay in Japan begins on March 25, the final decision is expected to be made by mid-March.
In the end, from late February to early March, the situation of Corona 19 around the world, including Japan, is the key to determining the fate of the Tokyo Olympics.
(Photo = Getty Image Korea)