2023-10-15 22:06:27
Sapporo City has given up on bidding for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto and Japanese Olympic Committee Chairman Yasuhiro Yamashita made the announcement on the 11th. This is a natural outcome since it does not have the support of the residents. I would like to take this opportunity to sit down and envision what the Olympics should be as a sustainable event.
As Mayor Akimoto pointed out at the press conference, the heightened sense of distrust caused by the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics two years ago became a strong headwind. The cost of hosting the Games, which was forced to be postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, has doubled compared to the bid stage, and it has become clear that the International Olympic Committee is pushing the burden onto the host city. Furthermore, as corruption and bid-rigging cases were discovered, the festival’s clean image as a symbol of peace and friendship has deteriorated significantly.
It is clear that world-class competitions such as the Olympics have reached a turning point. The number of cities that are volunteering to host the event is decreasing as they are unable to gain the support of their residents due to the increasing burden. It is no longer possible for the Olympic Games, like those of the 20th century, to continue, with hopes of promoting economic development and national prestige.
On the other hand, it is also true that the Olympics, which are the epitome of the integrity of sports, are enthusiastically supported around the world. The sight of athletes who have put their lives on the line and worked hard to push themselves to their limits really touches people’s hearts. It is also an indispensable big stage for minor sports that don’t usually get the spotlight.
First of all, we need to change our excessive commercialism and free candidate sites from excessive burdens. The focus should not be on the grandeur of the stadium or the ceremony, but on providing a place where the players, who are the main players, can demonstrate their full potential and have deep, memorable interactions. In other words, the key will be whether we can regain the “purity” that has been tainted by the bloated Olympic business. If we can do that, I think more cities will be interested in hosting the event.
The city of Sapporo will not completely withdraw from bidding for the Games, but will continue to explore the possibility of hosting the event in the future. As a premise, we cannot avoid facing the Tokyo Games, which is the source of the headwinds. However, while the official report compiled by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee praises itself for overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, it does not delve into the issues that have arisen. Only following thorough examination and reflection, and only if the residents wish to host the Olympics, can they stand on the starting line for the bid.
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