Do you see the fireworks from home?

Do you see it locally?

February 24, 19:02

A loud cheer that shakes the ground.

Colorful national flags waving in the audience.

A large number of fireworks launched at the stadium.

At that moment, you will be more enthusiastic than anywhere else in the world.

The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, where the world's top athletes are competing, are imminent.

But now the space may turn into "silence".

Can the local excitement be conveyed by watching TV at home?

Some people have a strong sense of crisis and have begun to move.

(Sports News Department Reporter Yosuke Nakano / Shunsuke Shimanaka)

“Full national stadium”

"I want to fill up the new national stadium. Make parasports a major at the Tokyo Paralympics."

Two years ago, Atsushi Yamamoto (38), a leading prosthesis athlete, para-athletics long jumper, said so.

Yamamoto was one of the first to get a job offer for the Tokyo Paralympics at the World Championship that year.

What I have been appealing for is the "full stadium" of the Tokyo Paralympics, that is, to realize a full spectator at all competition venues.

I feel that there are more Paralympic athletes than Olympic athletes who are particular about this audience.

There are parasports and unique circumstances.

The goal was "full stadium"

For many years, Yamamoto, who has participated in many competitions for 20 years, has seen a rattle stadium with no spectators.

Even in the Japan Championships, Japan Para Tournament, and tournaments where world-class para-athletes gather, there are almost no members of the athlete's family, affiliated people, or general spectators in the audience seats.

Moreover, admission is free at most competitions ...

The Paralympics are far less noticeable than the Olympics, where all the star athletes participate.

For that reason, the people concerned have expected the Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo to be the one and only opportunity to "feel" and "feel the charm of parasports" for the first time.

The symbol of this is the goal set by the Games Organizing Committee at the Tokyo Paralympics.

It is not the "number of medals" that players get, but the "full stadium."

Filling the venue was a testament to the success of the Paralympics.

80% is the impact of "audience restrictions"

It was the spread of the new coronavirus that broke the expectations of those involved.

"Many people gather and there is a risk of spreading the infection."

"Will you be pleased to win the medal?"

This is a voice from a competition organization of the Tokyo Paralympics.

In February, NHK conducted a questionnaire survey of 26 sports organizations in Japan.

(25 groups answered)

When asked about holding the Tokyo Paralympics, 64% of the respondents answered "anxiety" or "a little anxiety."

There were many concerns about the public opinion that the pros and cons of the event were divided, and 68% answered that "understanding of the people and sympathy for the players" was indispensable for the event.

What shocked us most was the reality that 84% of the competitions answered that "there is no choice but to limit the audience", which is more than 80%.

With the state of emergency continuing and even the possibility of holding the event being questioned, it is difficult to attract a large number of spectators.

I think it is unavoidable to think so, but it is a shocking number considering the hardships of the people involved who have been particular about "full stadium".

Can be conveyed even by non-audience

Under these circumstances, some competitions have begun to seek to convey the appeal of parasports even if they become "no spectators."

Powerlifting.

Powerlifting for athletes with disabilities such as legs to lift the barbell on a bench press.

This January, we held the All Japan Championship with no spectators.

What I went there was the glittering lighting and music that was performed according to the appearance of athletes and the competition.

We devised a production to let you enjoy the competition that is not familiar to the general public, and distributed it online.

For this powerlifting, the gymnasium in Tokyo, which was the largest practice base, was converted to a medical facility for mildly ill patients with the new coronavirus, and most athletes had to rely on individual practice at home or in a nearby gym. I did.

Athletes also share training videos on SNS etc. and continue to seek advice from each other and seek advice online from coaches in the UK.

Athletes who find what they can do and continue to make efforts while they can't do it.

Susumu Yoshida, Chairman of the Japan Para Powerlifting Federation, says that we should be able to devise ways to convey information without the audience.

Susumu Yoshida, President of the Japan

Paralympic

Powerlifting Federation

"Of course, it's best to see it live, but if you devise a way to show it, the possibilities will expand. The Tokyo Paralympics should not be stopped easily considering the efforts of the players. There are things that even the audience can do. "

Tell "go little by little"

Athletes are also starting to move.

I'm Tomita Space Player (31) in the swimming and visually impaired class.

Tomita, who is expected to win a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, also accepts the reality that it is difficult to attract a large number of spectators.

Therefore, we are now focusing on sending on SNS.

By making full use of SNS, which is rapidly expanding its use, and exchanging voice, we also communicated how we talked with other players about what we think of the non-audience.

If there is something that cannot be communicated at the venue on the day of the tournament, I think it would be better to gradually tell each day how to believe in the tournament and move forward, and how to deal with the obstacles of the athletes.

Tomita thinks so.

Space Player Tomita

"The Paralympics have the power to unknowingly remove invisible discrimination. Therefore, it may be a shortcut to be impressed by seeing the Paralympic Games, but other than that, it will surely be conveyed. Whether you are unconscious or not, I think you can show the value of the Paralympics by communicating your efforts and thoughts to reach that point. "

The brilliance of children's eyes

Atsushi Yamamoto, the artificial limb jumper introduced at the beginning.

Just before the World Championships in Dubai in the Middle East, I went to a local Japanese school instead of a practice venue.

For the first time, the children talked directly to the artificial limb athlete and let them touch the artificial limb.

A few days later.

There were a lot of children in the stadium to see Yamamoto competing with the world's rivals.

And Yamamoto grabbed the medal in front of the children.

After an interview with us in the media, the smiling faces of the children surrounded Yamamoto.

"It's cool

to be able to

jump like that with artificial limbs."

"

I

want to go see the Tokyo Paralympics."

I can't forget the children who are shining their eyes.

Where do you see the Paralympics?

Atsushi Yamamoto

"I want you to know about Parasports rather than" I want you to do the Tokyo Paralympics. "Efforts to maximize performance in the face of disabilities will surely give people courage and hope."

Yamamoto's words that condense the thoughts of many para players and para players.

Isn't there something in the smiles of the children that proves that?

Nowadays, many people are bound by strict restrictions and live with heavy and painful feelings.

The government and the Organizing Committee will set an upper limit on the number of spectators for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this spring.

No matter what the conclusion is, I believe that the Paralympics and the Para players will surely make you smile.

Whether you see the fireworks at the stadium or at your home.

Sports News Department Reporter

Yosuke Nakano

Sports News Department Reporter

Shunsuke Shimanaka