After being postponed for a year due to the pandemic, the Olympics are set to kick off this Friday in Tokyo, Japan. On the surface, this may seem like a positive development. They made the prudent choice to delay the games, allowing the world a chance to better manage the COVID crisis. The hope was to prevent the Olympics from turning into a superspreader event.
Yet, the reality is that we are still very much in the midst of a pandemic. Cases are surging globally due to the Delta variant, and vaccination rates remain alarmingly low in many areas. In Japan, for instance, only 22% of the population is fully vaccinated, and the country has declared a state of emergency due to rising case numbers.
It’s no surprise that a mere 22% of Japanese citizens feel at ease with hosting the event. Who could blame them? Why would anyone want athletes and spectators from around the globe—where COVID is still rampant—to converge in their country and potentially exacerbate the spread?
What are we thinking, people? Haven’t we learned that during a global pandemic, certain non-essential activities should be put on hold? I understand that the Olympics hold significant meaning for many. Athletes have dedicated their lives to this moment, and there is something undeniably inspiring about that. However, no achievement is worth risking more lives in the process.
While the Olympics organizers have implemented measures to mitigate the spread of the virus—including testing, quarantining, and contact tracing—the reality remains that gathering individuals from around the world during this time poses a serious risk. Reports indicate that there have already been 71 COVID cases linked to the Olympics, including 31 visitors from abroad. This number is likely to climb, as is the case with any virus outbreak.
Renowned figures, like Dr. Emily Green, a prominent health official, have voiced their apprehensions regarding the potential health risks associated with the games. When asked if she worried about the Olympics becoming a superspreader event, she expressed that such concerns are widespread, especially given that many athletes come from regions with limited vaccine access.
We are navigating a challenging time, and while we must find ways to live our lives, we should not disregard the serious implications of our choices. Basic needs—work, mental well-being, nurturing our children, and finding safe ways to socialize—should take precedence. The Olympics, in truth, are not a necessity.
It raises the question: is this push to hold the Olympics driven by a genuine need for the event, or is it more about financial gain? Reports indicate that NBC has already secured $1.25 billion in ad sales for the games. The CEO of NBC remarked that this could be their most lucrative Olympics yet.
Profits over people—that seems to be the underlying motivation. Imagine if decision-makers at NBC and the International Olympic Committee had taken a moment to reflect on the ongoing pandemic. With millions lost to COVID and the world still grappling with vaccination disparities, they could have chosen to prioritize human life over profit.
One can only hope that the Olympics do not devolve into a significant superspreader event, and that we, as a society, will eventually recognize that safeguarding lives should always take precedence.
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In summary, while the Olympics might seem like a celebration of sports and human achievement, the ongoing pandemic casts a long shadow over the event. It raises critical ethical questions about the value of human life versus financial gain. We must remain vigilant and prioritize the health and safety of our communities.
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