Thought of player left behind Throwed by change of venue November 8, 16:53
"I want to know why it changed."
The Toshihiko Seko Marathon Strengthening Strategy Project Leader of the Japan Athletics Federation represented his feelings.
A race with the next year's Olympic marathon, which was decided under the sudden change that the event would not be held in Tokyo. IOC = International Olympic Committee emphasizes “Athlete First,” where athletes' lives and health are paramount. However, many players' thoughts were left behind in the decision process. What is "athlete first" with?
(Sports News Department reporter Yuki Honma)
Virtual Olympics too
In September, when it was still hot, a historic marathon race was held for the Japanese land world.
The name of the race is MGC = Marathon Grand Championship. Players who cleared the strict selection conditions competed for the Japan national team held in their country in a "one-shot game" on the Tokyo Olympics course.
The boys suddenly jumped out of Shita Shitara. At the end of the game, the three people who fought the music had a dead heat. For girls, Honan Maeda, who showed the ability to cope with the heat by racing around the world, won the championship. And Ayuko Suzuki took the right to represent the race with patience.
A representative selection race for the “virtual Olympics” that shook many people. It was a serious game of the first generation that all players who participated faced with a strong desire to run the same course one year later.
But only a month later ...
IOC announced a plan to change the venue to Sapporo.
"What was that?"
It was the true truth of the players who dreamed of running on the stage of the Tokyo Olympics and entered the race.
Change venue with "Athlete First"
In changing the venue, the IOC emphasized the “athlete first” philosophy. Bach and Coat Coordinating Chairman insisted that "to protect athletes' health".
However, the concern about the harsh heat of Tokyo in summer has been said for a long time after the invitation decision. That is why the athletes have been training hard while thinking of running in Tokyo on August 2, 2020 for girls and August 9 for boys.
There is no objection to thinking the players first, and the idea of reducing the burden on the players as much as possible is also reasonable.
Even so, players couldn't hide their confusion because of the sudden change of venue after less than a year until the actual performance.
What is "athlete first"?
One representative player ...
“I wanted to make a goal at the National Stadium where many spectators welcomed me.”
An interview after “Sapporo relocation” was decided.
Toshihiko Seko, the leader of the Japan Land Federation, criticized the decision severely on behalf of the players who had been left behind.
"I think it's not athlete first to say that it will suddenly change what has been decided. It's hot, but Mizuki Noguchi won the Olympics in Athens at 34 and 35 degrees. There must have been a lot of hot places (so far), because we came seriously.I want to know why it changed, "Toshihiko Seko
Sachiko Yamashita, who participated in the Barcelona Olympics and is currently in charge of strengthening the women's marathon, countered the IOC's decision from an athlete's perspective.
“(The course in Tokyo) was a very harsh course with 4 km of the last uphill, but I was also pleased to practice, prepare and face it. Athletes are preparing for this "(Sachiko Yamashita)
In the first place, sports attract people because athletes exert their maximum power in common rules.
If the environment changes many years ago, it is natural that many people have asked the question “What is athlete first?” In the unusual change of 9 months before the event.
For competitions centered on players
One day press conference. IOC's Coats Chairman was asked to think about Japanese players who had been making efforts so far, and only repeated his previous claims.
“I think of some kind of event. I think there are players who are preparing for the heat and some people like Sapporo are welcome to move to Sapporo. )
Relocation decision where athletes' thoughts have been left behind.
The officials of the tournament also heard criticism, "Is it really IOC first?"
9 months left for the Tokyo Olympics, where players and fans are waiting. If “athlete first” is raised, it should be a tournament where players can look back with smiles in the future. I hope that the IOC and the organizing committee of the tournament will continue to make efforts to make the race in Sapporo the best, with the players at the center.