Tokyo (AFP)
The fireworks are over and the athletes are leaving: Japan began on Monday to take stock of its "pandemic Olympics" at an exorbitant cost, organized despite strong initial opposition from its population.
Olympic officials were, as one would expect, positive, saying the all-time Games offered moments of hope and emotion around the world, and that they unfolded without major incident.
“These Olympic Games have been a powerful demonstration of the unifying power of sport,” said Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
But it will take longer for Japan to take stock of these costly (at least € 13 billion) and controversial Games, which unfolded as cases of Covid-19 exploded in Tokyo and elsewhere in the country.
The daily Asahi, which had asked for the cancellation, said Monday that the holding of the event had been a "bet" with the lives of people, as the health situation worsened.
A poll carried out by the newspaper during the last two days of the Olympics, however, revealed that 56% of Japanese people were in favor of holding the Olympics (against 32%).
But, a sign of persistent ambivalence, only 32% said they felt the Games were "secure", 54% not being convinced.
The Tokyo Olympics were unlike any other global sporting event, starting with the historic postponement to 2020 which penalized some athletes.
The restrictions imposed during the Games resulted in the wearing of masks for all and an almost total closed door on the Olympic venues.
- New sports -
Signs quickly showed that the Japanese public might change their mind.
Thousands of people flocked around the Olympic Stadium to see the Opening Ceremony fireworks and have their photos taken in front of the rings.
Workers clean the Tokyo Olympic Stadium on the morning of August 9, 2021, the day after the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Games Philip FONG AFP
When the sporting events started, people defied injunctions to stay away from public events and also snatched merchandise from stores.
"If you see these athletes running in front of you, you can't help but cheer them on," Hirochika Tadeda told AFP along the triathlon course.
Congratulations to the athletes were a major theme in Monday's editorials, with the Yomiuri daily offering "high praise for the competitions in which they have put all their efforts."
Despite concerns about the consequences of the pandemic and the postponement of the Games, performances remained impressive, with world records broken and the successful introduction of several new sports, including skateboarding and surfing.
The coronavirus has however cast a shadow over these Games and the Olympic dreams of several athletes have been shattered by the results of PCR tests.
But most were just happy: "In the midst of a pandemic, they (the Japanese) managed to organize an amazing Olympics. They always greeted us with a smile and so much kindness. Thank you," wrote Australian footballer Alanna Kennedy on Twitter.
- "The organizers excelled" -
"The Games took place under the most difficult circumstances imaginable and the organizers excelled," said Hugh Robertson, president of the British Olympic Association.
A young boy practices skateboarding on August 4, 2021 in Sapporo's Hot Bowl Skate Park, the favorite training location of Japanese skateboarder Kokona Hiraki, 12, Tokyo Olympic Games silver medalist Yasuyoshi CHIBA AFP
These Olympics were also a triumph for Japanese sport, with a record 27 gold medals in all areas, from baseball to skateboarding.
Japanese Olympic officials believe these successes have contributed to growing public support for the Games, as witnessed by families who brought their children to venues or hung flags on windows.
Behind these cheers, however, hides a sense of crisis, due to the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases during the Games, although the organizers have not established any link.
Tokyo and many other areas are under restrictions and only about a third of Japanese are fully vaccinated.
The health crisis could weigh on the political future of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, facing a leadership race of his conservative party and soon a general election, at the latest in October.
© 2021 AFP