Tokyo Olympics / Para "Urban Volunteer" Approximately 3,500 declined

While the number of "Tournament Volunteers" who are active in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games venues and the Olympic Village is about 10,000, the number of "Urban Volunteers" who guide transportation and sightseeing has declined one after another, at least about 3,500. I found out from an interview with NHK that I am climbing to.

Regarding volunteers for the Tokyo Games, it has been revealed that about 10,000 out of about 80,000 "tournament volunteers" who are mainly active in the competition venues and the Olympic Village have declined by June 1.

Under these circumstances, when NHK interviewed 11 local governments nationwide about "city volunteers" that guide traffic and tourism where more than 40,000 people are scheduled to work, 9 local governments responded, totaling about 3,500. It turned out that the person had declined.

As of the end of May, 1083 people declined in Chiba prefecture, followed by about 800 people in Miyagi prefecture and about 630 people in Fukushima prefecture.

Since Tokyo and Saitama prefectures are confirming, the number of people who declined is expected to increase further.

According to each local government, the reason for declining is that the tournament has been postponed for one year, changes in the living environment such as transfer and going on to school, and anxiety about the spread of the new coronavirus infection are the majority.

In addition, there was also a reason that it became difficult to find the significance of participating because the audience did not come from overseas, and some local governments declined due to public opinion while the pros and cons of the event were divided. That is.

Each local government has decided to work to eliminate the anxiety of volunteers by explaining infection prevention measures while proceeding with on-the-job training for the actual tournament, while saying that the decline will not affect the operation. ..

Concerns about infection

Many volunteers at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have declined to participate due to concerns about infection with the new coronavirus.

At the Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired, University of Tsukuba, located in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, six teachers were scheduled to participate as volunteers, but three teachers have already participated because infection through activities would cause trouble to their families and workplaces. I have declined.

Of these, Ai Murata (51), a blind and visually impaired teacher, has been making preparations by actually participating in sports event volunteers for three years.

Regarding the reason for wanting to participate, Mr. Murata said, "Since visually impaired people rarely participate as volunteers, I definitely wanted to take on the challenge. I want the students to take on the challenge, and I am a volunteer on a daily basis. We wanted to do what we could do, "he said.

However, as the infection continued to spread, my vaccination was uncertain, and I was told by my family that I did not want them to participate in volunteer activities while living with my elderly family, so I decided to decline late last month.

Mr. Murata said, "Unfortunately, it would be difficult if I brought it home and something happened. I was worried that I didn't know whether the audience would enter or not, and how much contact I had with people. I don't know if everyone thinks it's safe and secure, so I'd like to support them, but I can't get rid of my anxiety. "

Pros and cons of the event

On the other hand, some people have decided to participate in the Tokyo Games as volunteers, but have mixed feelings as the pros and cons of the event are divided.

Yasuo Kaito (55), an office worker from Chiba Prefecture who participates as a tournament volunteer, has been volunteering 60 to 70 times a year since he participated in a sporting event volunteer about 6 years ago.

It is said that it is attractive to be able to interact with people from different backgrounds and gain a lot of knowledge and experience, and I have been preparing to study the history and activities of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

However, as the infection continues to spread, Mr. Kaito, who is in his 50s, is not currently eligible for vaccination by the time of the event, and he is worried that he will not be infected through his activities.

Also, in late May, while receiving volunteer uniforms and getting a real sense of the tournament, it is said that while the pros and cons of the event are divided, the people of the company and the eyes of society are worrisome.

Mr. Kaito said, "I think that some colleagues may think that going to the company the day after the volunteer activity is okay because of the influence of Corona. Even during the activity, just looking at the volunteer uniform," Oh. I didn't think that the infection wouldn't go away because there are people who say that, but I'm worried that there may be offensive words to volunteers. " I revealed it.

On top of that, "It is desirable that the number of infected people and medical conditions improve, and the event can be held in a state where there is plenty of time. Although the athletes who participate to prevent infection will be patient, many people still want to do it. I am convinced that we can hold the event in the form of "Let's support it together."

Workshop at Fujisawa, Kanagawa

With less than 50 days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, a workshop for "city volunteers" was held in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where sailing competitions are held.

In Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where the competition venue is located, about 90 of the city volunteers have declined, but more than 800 are scheduled to participate, and training is underway ahead of the competition.

About 20 people participated in the workshop on the 6th, and after receiving explanations from city officials about precautions such as thorough infection prevention measures during activities and keeping a record of body temperature for 14 days before and after, the city I checked the specific activities to be carried out in various parts of the country and received uniforms.

As for the volunteers of the Tokyo Games, about 10,000 volunteers who are active in competition venues have declined due to the postponement and the spread of infection, and at least about 3,500 city volunteers have declined.

A woman in her 50s who participated in the training said, "I am worried that I will not be able to get vaccinated by the time the event is held, but it will be a memorial for my life and I hope it will be useful to the local community."

Mayu Kitagawa of the Fujisawa City Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Preparation Office said, "Although it is a corona illness, I would like to proceed with preparations quietly. I want to collect information. "