Too many rumors and promises, Tokyo Olympic organizers need to take firmer action (3)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach wearing a face mask visits the new National Stadium, the main venue for Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov 17, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

But history has taught us that it is no use just making promises. We still remember that the Japanese government, the organizers, and the IOC were all vowing to hold the Olympics in the summer of 2020 just a few days before it was eventually announced to be postponed.

Since assuming office last September, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has promised numerous times, five times alone in 2021, that the Games will not be postponed again or canceled.

And the problem is, while making commitments, the IOC and the Japanese government are at the same time leaving some room for maneuver, prompting people to speculate that the games might not be held this summer. And that obviously gives opportunities for more rumors.

Sakai told reporters on Thursday, "At some point in time, we will naturally make a decision as to whether to actually hold it," he said. "Until then the Japanese government will do what it needs to do and make progress and prepare for it."

Bach has also done the same. He said last month to Nekkei newspaper, "We're all human, and the coronavirus is still here. For some of the people who don't know whether they can go to a restaurant tomorrow, or whether they can go shopping, they think about it. If we don't know [what we will be able to do tomorrow], how can we know if this big event will take place months from now?"

Tokyo and 10 other prefectures are still under the second state of emergency until Feb 7 and the Japanese capital has reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections for 10 straight days.

With the test events scheduled to restart on March 4 and torch relay due to begin in late March, the Japanese side needs to take firmer action in controlling the spread of the coronavirus and come up with a detailed plan to host the games, otherwise, it cannot stop the spreading of similar rumors.