Will the Tokyo Olympics Actually Happen?

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been in limbo since the COVID pandemic gripped the world. The games have already been postponed a full year, and are now less than two months away. But even as the opening ceremonies on July 23rd draw closer and closer, it’s still unclear whether or not the Tokyo Olympics will actually take place. With coronavirus cases surging in Japan, and distribution of the vaccine proceeding slowly, Tokyo is currently under a state of emergency. And perhaps most importantly, public opinion in Japan is now firmly on the side of canceling the games outright. But the International Olympic Committee has been adamant about moving forward with the games. ESPN senior writer Tom Hamilton, who’s based in London, and the Times of London’s Asia editor Richard Lloyd Parry, who’s based in Tokyo, explain the financial implications, public health risks, and other factors at play as the Tokyo Olympics hang in the balance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices