# No spectators at Tokyo Olympics **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [July 8, 2021, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984 "2021-07-08T14:06:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/21 "2021-07-20T15:46:29Z")
It would take a lot of balls for a multinational company to sue the Olympics if they postponed for health reasons. Can’t see this happening, the publicity would be terrible. However, you might be right about future bids, though one hopes not. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/22 "2021-07-20T16:03:07Z")
The US had college basketball and football games last winter. Testing and social distancing worked reasonably well. Some teams got sidelined for a couple weeks after someone tested positive. The NCAA basketball tournament went really well. IIRC That involved 32 teams this year. The team managers and coaches deserve a lot of credit for enforcing social distancing. It was obvious which teams didn’t because they got quarantined several times. Heck the NBA finals are on right now. Japan should let the athletes compete. I agree with eliminating the stadium crowds. Test for the virus and quarantine as needed. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/23 "2021-07-20T16:07:08Z")
So I know Japan has botched the vaccination effort pretty badly and hardly has anyone vaccinated, but surely all the athletes and support staff are vaccinated, right? Not having travelers from around the world mingle in the audience is a reasonable precaution if they feel like they can’t guarantee vaccine status, but why is everyone treating the athletes and support staff like lepers? Surely they’re all vaccinated. Why do they have to put on their own medals? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/24 "2021-07-20T16:17:15Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > but surely all the athletes and support staff are vaccinated, right? Most, but absolutely not _all_. This Forbes article indicates that athletes haven’t been required to be vaccinated in order to compete (though it was “encouraged”). Around 85% of participants (athletes and staff) have been vaccinated. > **[Did Olympic Athletes Need To Be Vaccinated? No — And Now More Are Testing...](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/19/did-olympic-athletes-need-to-be-vaccinated-no---and-now-more-are-testing-positive-for-covid-19/?sh=4fb2944c4db7)** > > More than 80% are expected to be vaccinated, but a number of athletes have declined to get the shot. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/25 "2021-07-20T17:09:00Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The NCAA basketball tournament went really well. IIRC That involved 32 teams this year. It was a 68-team bracket this year, actually, same as usual, but with one team, VCU, that had to drop out and not participate because of COVID-19 protocols. Their first-round game with Oregon was declared a no-contest. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/26 "2021-07-20T17:45:50Z")
No, it can’t be rescheduled. That’s the hard part for Japan. If it’s postponed now, it’ll be cancelled with NO opportunity to be held, and Japan is on the hook for all associated costs therein. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/27 "2021-07-20T17:57:50Z")
Indeed, I’ve seen postings from an American athlete who was bragging about how he was unvaccinated, and he represented his country’s freedoms in that way. I cannot fathom why the Olympics are allowing unvaccinated participants, especially when they’re enforcing more onerous and less effective measures. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/28 "2021-07-20T17:58:43Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > It was a 68-team bracket this year, actually, same as usual, but with one team, VCU, that had to drop out and not participate because of COVID-19 protocols. Their first-round game with Oregon was declared a no-contest. Thank you for the correction. I remembered talk about eliminating the first qualifying round as a precaution . I never heard if they did. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/29 "2021-07-20T18:05:30Z")
Should we start a new thread for the actual Olympic event? It starts in two days. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/30 "2021-07-20T18:13:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I cannot fathom why the Olympics are allowing unvaccinated participants, especially when they’re enforcing more onerous and less effective measures. The Forbes article indicates that the IOC worked with the countries to distribute vaccines to some countries. However: > [@](#): > > The IOC told _Forbes_ in an email their vaccination programs have been “very successful” but did not disclose the exact amount of vaccines that were donated, and the donations would not apply to athletes in countries where those vaccines are not yet authorized, or to teenage athletes who are not approved to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in their countries yet. I suspect that the IOC did not want to be seen as effectively banning some countries or athletes from participating, due to local laws around the vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/31 "2021-07-20T19:52:54Z")
2/3 of the Japanese public apparently do not think they should be holding the Games. So much so that Toyota has decided not to advertise in Japan or have its executives attend. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/32 "2021-07-20T20:36:25Z")
How did a country that leads in technology innovation skip vaccinations? The losses hosting a Olympics without spectators and losing some major advertising must be staggering. At least they still have the deal for TV rights. The athletes will provide great competition entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/33 "2021-07-20T21:58:41Z")
If the athletes are sent home after the medals are awarded, then the closing ceremonies will be 100 times as pathetic as the opening ceremonies. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/34 "2021-07-20T22:00:32Z")
> [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](#): > > The head of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee has not ruled out a last-minute cancellation of the games if COVID cases surge I thought it was the IOC that can make that decision? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/35 "2021-07-20T22:05:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > How did a country that leads in technology innovation skip vaccinations? Not skipped, delayed. - Japan asked for additional, local clinical trials for the vaccines before approving them - They lack enough skilled healthcare workers to devote to the vaccination program (only doctors and nurses are allowed to administer vaccinations in Japan) - They did have a delay in getting the vaccines early on, though that no longer appears to be a problem A friend of mine is a U.S. expat, who lives in Japan and works as an English teacher at a school. They’re telling him that he can expect to be vaccinated by September, at the earliest. > **[EXPLAINER: Why Japan has been slow to roll out vaccinations](https://apnews.com/article/japan-coronavirus-vaccine-coronavirus-pandemic-sports-business-04eaae220abeff6cb30ee4f0e0fc58f8)** > > TOKYO (AP) — Japan's rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began belatedly in mid-February, months behind the United States and many other countries. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/36 "2021-07-20T22:10:56Z")
That still doesn’t explain why an unvaccinated American would be allowed to attend. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/37 "2021-07-20T22:13:03Z")
I would suspect that the IOC is not differentiating between those who are unvaccinated because they cannot get a vaccine, and those who have actively chosen to not be vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/38 "2021-07-20T22:30:14Z")
But no one scheduled to attend the Games should be unable to obtain a vaccine. If one is not available from one’s own health authorities, there should be a process to get it from the IOC. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/39 "2021-07-20T23:01:29Z")
Under the terms of the host city contract between Tokyo and the IOC, this is correct. However, the Japanese government can _theoretically_ still do so unilaterally, it would just be considered breach of contract and > [@](#): > > Tokyo would not only bear the costs for the preparations to date, but would also remain obliged to indemnify the IOC from any third-party claims, actions or judgements. (quote taken from article below) > **[Can the Olympics still be cancelled? Yes, but the legal and financial fallout...](https://theconversation.com/can-the-olympics-still-be-cancelled-yes-but-the-legal-and-financial-fallout-would-be-staggering-161739)** > > The decision to cancel the games lies ultimately with the International Olympic Committee – an extraordinary power that explains why Tokyo is pressing ahead. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984/40 "2021-07-21T00:45:30Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Should we start a new thread for the actual Olympic event? It starts in two days. Absolutely, maybe multiple threads with some of the popular sports needing their own thread. And hopefully the ‘they shouldn’t hold them!’ comments can stay here [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spectators-at-tokyo-olympics/945984.md?page=3)