{"id":58094,"date":"2021-07-09T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=58094"},"modified":"2021-07-08T17:33:06","modified_gmt":"2021-07-08T21:33:06","slug":"holding-the-tokyo-olympics-without-spectators-during-covid-19-emergency-puts-the-iocs-supreme-authority-on-full-display","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/holding-the-tokyo-olympics-without-spectators-during-covid-19-emergency-puts-the-iocs-supreme-authority-on-full-display\/","title":{"rendered":"Holding the Tokyo Olympics without spectators during COVID-19 emergency puts the IOC\u2019s \u2018supreme authority\u2019 on full display"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Two weeks before the start of the Tokyo Olympics,\u00a0a state of emergency has been declared by the Japanese government<\/a>\u00a0in its latest attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. It\u2019s another setback for these Olympics, which have already been postponed for a year and will now go ahead without any spectators.<\/p>\n

With concerns that the Tokyo Olympics could become a super-spreader event, why then are the Games even taking place?<\/p>\n

The answer lies in the power that the International Olympic Committee \u2013 the\u00a0self-proclaimed<\/a>\u00a0\u201csupreme authority\u201d for world sport \u2013 holds over the cities and countries that host the Games.<\/p>\n

If anyone was unaware of the IOC\u2019s use and abuse of power before 2020, events surrounding the Tokyo Olympics during the COVID-19 pandemic have shed unprecedented light on the organization\u2019s iron grip over host cities and countries.<\/p>\n

Since early 2020, IOC president Thomas Bach and fellow veteran IOC members John Coatea (chair of Tokyo Co-ordination Commission, the main liaison between the IOC and Tokyo organizers) and Richard Pound have been the dominant voices of the committee. Their statements on the postponement or potential cancellation of the Tokyo Games reflect denial, hubris and self-congratulatory rhetoric.<\/p>\n

The Tokyo Olympics as\u00a0\u201cthe light at the end of the tunnel\u201d<\/a>\u00a0has been one of Bach\u2019s favourites platitudes, while boosters\u2019 references to a\u00a0\u201cpost-corona world\u201d<\/a>\u00a0illustrate the same unfounded optimism.<\/p>\n

On the question of contingency plans in the event Tokyo needed to cancel the Games, Coates flatly stated last year that there was\u00a0\u201cno Plan B\u201d<\/a>. Bach\u00a0spread the same message<\/a>\u00a0earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Free speech?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Criticism from Olympic \u201cinsiders\u201d is both rare and noteworthy.<\/p>\n

In June, Japanese Olympic Committee member\u00a0Kaori Yamaguchi<\/a>\u00a0claimed Tokyo had been \u201ccornered\u201d into proceeding. She was critical of the IOC for appearing\u00a0\u201cto think it could steamroll over the wishes of the Japanese public,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0given that about 80 per cent of people wanted the Games postponed again or cancelled.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of the pandemic \u2014 when the IOC was still suggesting the Tokyo Games would start as scheduled in July 2020 \u2014 Hayley Wickenheiser, a member of the IOC Athletes\u2019 Commission, called for postponement. She\u00a0received a speedy rebuke<\/a>\u00a0from an IOC official, stating that it was \u201ca pity\u201d she had posted her thoughts \u201cwithout asking the IOC first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know free speech had to go through the IOC,\u201d\u00a0she fired back.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

I\u2019ve given this a lot of thought, and over the past few days my perspective has changed. I was voted to represent and protect athletes. As an IOCAC member, 6x Olympian and Medical doctor in training on the front lines in ER up until this week,these are my thoughts on @Olympics<\/a> : pic.twitter.com\/vrvfsQZ1GO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) March 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n