Potential for cancellation of Tokyo 2020

bardtoob

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The 2022 Olympics is already impacted. The reason the Olympics are alternated every two years is because non-Socialist economies could not support (pay for) so much infrastructure development at the same time.

Now, it is questionable if it can support any development, given the global issues have been so economically destructive.
 
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skatfan

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The 2022 Olympics is already impacted. The reason the Olympics are alternated every two years is because non-Socialist economies could not support (pay for) so much infrastructure development at the same time.

Now, it is questionable if it can support any development, given the global issues have been so economically destructive.
No the winter and summer games were always in separate countries even when they were the same year, so that was not a reason.
 

skatingguy

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No the winter and summer games were always in separate countries even when they were the same year, so that was not a reason.
Not always - 1932 Lake Placid & Los Angeles - 1936 - both in Germany - but its been awhile since they had both in the same country.
 

Aceon6

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I’m starting to think that any alternative plans for 2020 may be economically impossible. The economic stress from the crisis will continue well into 2021, possibly longer. As much as having the Os would make people feel good, I don’t see it becoming even a mid-range priority.
 

MsZem

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I’m starting to think that any alternative plans for 2020 may be economically impossible. The economic stress from the crisis will continue well into 2021, possibly longer. As much as having the Os would make people feel good, I don’t see it becoming even a mid-range priority.
I feel like 2021 is likely to be feasible. Given the amount of money invested, I expect those involved will push for the Games to be held, even if not during the original dates.
 

skatfan

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Not always - 1932 Lake Placid & Los Angeles - 1936 - both in Germany - but its been awhile since they had both in the same country.

Well, that's irrelevant - the games didn't switch to alternating until the 1990s. Way to go for you for finding something to dig up that occurred before our lifetimes. :rolleyes:
 

nimi

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This just in: IOC sets mid-April deadline for decision on Tokyo 2020

Cancelling the Olympics is "not an option" but IOC "has given itself a month to consider postponing the event after an emergency meeting on Sunday, CBC Sports has confirmed."


ETA: Another CBC Sports article about postponing the Games


Can the Olympics be postponed? Yes, but it's complicated
If not in July, when?

The Games would only be postponed once, so any decision by the IOC and Tokyo's organizing committee would probably push the starting date back months, not weeks. October is an option.

In Japan, September is the time of year with the greatest risk of typhoons. By October, the humidity is lower but the temperatures remain warm.

A fall Games could face resistance from North American broadcasters who already have sports like football, basketball and hockey on their schedule. NBC, for instance, carries the NFL's Sunday night game, usually the most-watched contest of the week.

With training camps open, the NBA also might be reluctant to have its players participate in the Games.

Delaying the Games until 2021 would impact world championships in athletics and aquatics.
 
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ross_hy

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Postponement to next year seems inevitable at this point - it's the right thing to do, the social pressure is warranted.

What will be fascinating is all the details - will it be the same time of year? how much does this blow up the international sports calendar? I feel bad for the athletes who have been building up to this point - by this time next year, some of them may not be able to compete at the same level.

Personally and selfishly, I'm sad because I have tickets to go. The other fascinating angle will be trip planning - will all my tickets be cancelled and refunded? Will they be honored and rescheduled for a year later? A messy situation for sure.
 

skatingguy

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Postponement to next year seems inevitable at this point - it's the right thing to do, the social pressure is warranted.

What will be fascinating is all the details - will it be the same time of year? how much does this blow up the international sports calendar? I feel bad for the athletes who have been building up to this point - by this time next year, some of them may not be able to compete at the same level.

Personally and selfishly, I'm sad because I have tickets to go. The other fascinating angle will be trip planning - will all my tickets be cancelled and refunded? Will they be honored and rescheduled for a year later? A messy situation for sure.
It could be interesting for sports like swimming & athletics that don't have World Championships every year - could the IAAF or FINA organize a World Championships for later this year and not hold one next year.
 

Skate Talker

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I feel bad for the athletes who have been building up to this point - by this time next year, some of them may not be able to compete at the same level.
I feel badly for them too. But by the same token, some athletes that couldn't compete this year or 4 years from now might be big winners if the Olympics is delayed 1 year.

It never has been, and never will be fair to every athlete, particularly since the Olympics are only ever held every 4 years. Some of the best athletes ever will always miss out because the timing just isn't right for them.

We don't have to look much further than Medvedeva who absolutely dominated everything for 2 years but bad luck for her, those were not Olympic years. On the hand Zagitova had the best luck and hit it just right for one year only and it just happened to be an Olympic year. Something to console her now that her skating career appears to be over.

As for the logistics of going ahead, postponing, or outright cancelling it is going to be one big mess now matter what they do.
 

Skate Talker

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Canada has just announced they won't send a team to the Tokyo Olympics.
IF they are held in July as scheduled. Can't believe it has taken this long for someone to put their foot down. Lets hope some other countries have the foresight to follow suit, regardless of the fact that the IOC now finally says it will at least start thinking about it and make a final decision by mid April. Tell them how you feel, countries of the world. The more input the more likely they will finally do what is right.
 

Lorac

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I wouldn't be surprised if the cancellation isn't announced within the next 48 hours. By the end of the week at the latest. It just can't go on.
 

nickp

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If the Olympics happen in October the economy would likely have recovered by then and NBC would be fine
 

starrynight

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Actually I think Australia has pulled out. The Prime Minister said that the borders will still be closed by the Olympics, so it's not possible.
 

MsZem

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I wouldn't be surprised if the cancellation isn't announced within the next 48 hours. By the end of the week at the latest. It just can't go on.
They may be waiting with the announcement until they have at least a tentative plan in place (e.g., Tokyo 2021 vs. a fall Olympics).
 

Frau Muller

From Puerto Rico…With Love! Not LatinX!
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Well, that's irrelevant - the games didn't switch to alternating until the 1990s. Way to go for you for finding something to dig up that occurred before our lifetimes. :rolleyes:

History is not irrelevant.
 

Frau Muller

From Puerto Rico…With Love! Not LatinX!
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Now that Australia and Canada have announced that they would not be sending teams to a summer Games this July/August, reports are coming in about a likely re-scheduling to July/Aug 2021. That would be a good development.
 

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