The torch relay, which began on the 25th, will travel around the country for 121 days, but during the postponed year, there are at least 91 runners such as celebrities who declined or died in 34 prefectures. understood.
Many are “scheduled”
When NHK asked the secretariats of each prefecture about the number and reasons for not participating in the torch relay in the past year after the tournament was postponed, there were at least 91 in 34 prefectures. I found out.
Looking at the reasons for declining, etc., we found that
▽ due to postponement of school and work, etc. was 41 people,
▽ declining related to Chairman Morimoto's remarks was 4 people,
and
▽ for the past year There were 12 people who died in.
Among those who declined, there are nearly 40 celebrities who are active in each field. On the
25th, Rakugoka Shofukutei Tsurube in Hyogo Prefecture, and on the
24th, actors Ryoko Hirosue in Kochi Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture. It has been revealed that Masama Uno of figure skating has declined.
“Difficult to prevent infection”
Many mention "convenience of schedule", but according to the prefecture, Hitomi Kuroki, an actor who is planning to run in Fukuoka prefecture and was revealed to decline on the 23rd, will run along the road when he runs from the side of Mr. Kuroki. There was an offer that it would be difficult to take measures to prevent infection, such as avoiding crowded conditions.
In addition, Toshihiko Koga, a judo gold medalist called "Heisei Sanshiro," who died on the 24th at the age of 53, was selected as a runner in Saga Prefecture.
The torch relay will be held for 121 days from the 25th to the opening ceremony on July 23, with approximately 10,000 runners scheduled to participate in 47 prefectures.
Since there are concerns about infections along the road, the Games Organizing Committee is calling for people to watch the torch relay live on the Internet and avoid crowds along the road.
"Expectations" and "anxiety"
Regarding the fact that the torch relay started in Fukushima Prefecture, various voices were heard in Tokyo Ginza, which is also the route of the torch relay, such as expectations and anxiety about infection.
▽ A man in his thirties
"I saw what I was doing in the news recently, but I didn't know that it started today. If you understand that there is a high risk of infection if it is crowded, running itself is good. I think "
▽ mother holding a baby after birth four months
in order to liven up the" Olympic Games but I want you to run in the torch relay, the thought of corona, and a little feeling that the opposite Kana. say either way
▽ A man in his 70s
"I'm
against the torch relay. The emergency declaration has been lifted and the number of people is increasing. It would be nice if the vaccine could be supplied early, but it wouldn't be in time. The cost of the Olympics.
▽ A college student who was visiting in a sunny dress at the graduation ceremony on the 25th
"I
was in the futsal club when
I was in college
, but I couldn't practice as I expected in Corona. I'm fine.
I'm
looking forward to getting courage because it's a sport. ”
▽ Mother in her 50s who was with me“ Actually, I applied for a torch relay runner, but unfortunately I was rejected, so I'm looking forward to it in that sense. I understand the feelings of those who are being treated, and I think that even if we take measures to prevent infection, we will not run out of concerns about corona, but I hope everyone can go in the same direction. "
Restaurant in Tokyo "Doesn't fall"
Regarding the start of the torch relay, there were complicated voices from restaurants in Tokyo that were requested to open in a short time even if the state of emergency was lifted.
Mr. Tokuharu Hirayama, who runs an izakaya near JR Shimbashi Station, has been operating for a short time since last year, and since the second state of emergency was lifted, people who visit the store are gradually returning, but the management is difficult. It is said that it continues.
Regarding the start of the torch relay, Mr. Hirayama said, "While there are many restaurants where you can't afford to pay the rent, I don't think that the torch relay will be a relief for your heart. It feels frustrating to feel that the torch relay is prioritized over our lives. "
Many challenges for the event
The Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed for one year, started the torch relay, but there are still many challenges for the Games.
[Success or failure of the
torch relay
]
It is the minimum condition for the torch relay to continue to operate safely nationwide for about four months in the corona wreck, in order to increase the momentum for the tournament, which is the purpose of the relay.
[Corona Countermeasures] As
for the corona countermeasures, which is the biggest issue, the "Playbook" that summarizes the rules for infection countermeasures that players and related parties should follow has been published, but it is surely protected by more than 10,000 players and related parties. It is necessary to inform and prepare for it.
In addition, there remains a difficult issue as to whether the medical and examination system of the competition can be secured so as not to interfere with local medical care.
It is indispensable for the Organizing Committee to make judgments based on scientific knowledge and objective grounds, and to carefully explain the process to gain the conviction and understanding of the people.
[Audience] The
audience, which influences the way the tournament should be, will be seen off from overseas and will be limited to Japan, but although the direction of the number of people will be shown next month, it may change depending on the infection situation, so it is unpredictable. ..
[Significance of the tournament]
And it is also important to clarify the meaning of the tournament, which is why the Tokyo tournament is held in Corona.
The Tokyo tournament aims to realize a symbiotic society with "diversity and harmony" as its philosophy, but since people's exchanges are restricted by corona measures and spectators do not visit from overseas, it will be a complete tournament. It's far away.
What will hosting the Olympics and Paralympics bring to Japan and the world in the face of difficulties?
Sending a message that people in Japan and overseas can sympathize with is required along with a speedy approach to corona countermeasures.