The upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo were supposed to be a symbol of humanity's victory over the coronavirus pandemic. And while it will undoubtedly be a spectacular event, it will not be an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe to finally gather together and cheer on their athletes.
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For one, the Japanese government is not thrilled about hosting the pandemic-delayed games due to concerns that they would become a hub of new coronavirus infections. In an outline they published this week, organizers revealed that spectators from abroad would be barred from attending the games altogether.
They limited stadium capacity to 50% and put forth strict rules for athletes in an attempt to keep them safe, but also to discourage as many of them as possible from arriving to compete in the first place.
In their outline, organizers reserved the right to change the rules at any given moment if there is an increase in coronavirus morbidity or the Indian variant finds its way into the Olympic Village. In addition, it will disqualify any athlete who disregards the rules put forth by the organizers.
The International Olympic Committee, however, is steadfast in continuing with the already delayed games. Canceling the Olympics would not only cost billions of dollars but would also cause a loss of an entire generation of athletes who might not be able to compete at the next Summer Games in Paris in 2024.
Despite the challenges, the hope is that the world's excitement about the event will eventually rub off on the Japanese and that performances by the athletes will outweigh the sore sight of empty stadiums.
Israel is sending its largest-ever delegation to the games this year. More than 80 athletes will compete in surfing, judo, track and field, baseball and gymnastics. Among them are such household names as Israeli runner Lonah Chemtai, rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram and judoka Sagi Muki.
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