The 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games may be in trouble… again!
Current Events
Previously scheduled for the summer of 2020, the Tokyo Olympic Games were rescheduled for the summer of 2021 once the coronavirus pandemic crippled the world. However, 2021 is not looking all that promising for a global sporting event.
Although vaccines are up and deaths are down in many locations across the globe, COVID is not over. In fact, some countries have not even begun to vaccinate their citizens.
So, is it really a good idea to bring every developed nation in the world to Tokyo just for the sake of some games and some medals?
North Korea doesn’t think so.
On Tuesday, the communist nation pulled itself out of the Tokyo Olympic Games, citing the ongoing threat of COVID as its sole reason.
According to The Associated Press, North Korea’s Sports Ministry announced via its website that it will not participate in the Games in order to protect athletes from the “world public health crisis caused by COVID-19.” The nation also called its anti-virus efforts a “matter of national existence.”
Although North Korea has long vowed to be coronavirus-free, officials don’t believe the hype due to its poor health infrastructure and open border with China.
With mere months to go before the scheduled start of the Tokyo Olympic Games, is North Korea only the start of a domino effect of nations to follow suit and refuse to participate?
The pandemic already pushed back the Tokyo Games from 2020 to 2021 and organizers have scrambled to put in place preventive measures, including banning international spectators and safety measures for athletes and residents. However, that may not be enough and there’s still concern that the Olympics could worsen the spread of the virus amid Japan’s rising caseload and slow vaccine rollout.
Should the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games proceed as planned? Or is it too soon to gather the world for the traditional event due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus?
“Should the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games proceed as planned?” – DJ
No. I don’t think so.
“Or is it too soon to gather the world for the traditional event due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus?” – DJ
Yes. And I won’t be a bit surprised if other nations join North Korea in pulling out of the games as time grows closer and COVID continues to be the real threat that it is.