- By Steph. G. Halston.
- (General Dispatch) – The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics have increased precautions at the time of the torch relay, as the slightest mistake could prolong the event for more than 4 months.
- The relay is scheduled for March 25 and will involve around 10,000 runners carrying the torch across Japan, an event that means a lot to the nation.
- The organizers said that everything has been planned and they hope that there will be no outbreak of COVID 19 further prolonging the celebration date, that is why biosecurity measures have been increased.
- Toshiro Muto said that this event means a lot to the country after going through the pandemic, it is needed to enliven the enthusiasm of the people and not to limit this kind of event despite the complications.
- The circuit to be held is connected to 47 key points in Japan, the great concern is that the organizing committee comes from Tokyo, where the capital has been the epicenter zone of the wave of coronavirus infections.
- The option of eliminating the torch relay was being evaluated, but this tradition has been in place since 1936 at the Berlin Olympics, and the sponsors are major companies such as Coca Cola and Toyota.
- The Olympic Games will have more than 10,000 athletes who will be constantly undergoing COVID 19 tests and will be required to have immunization certificates.
- The organizers warned that they will make decisions according to how the virus manifests itself, saying that “This is going to be a long relay, as we may find the need to change the rules of operation around the pandemic, or when local conditions change,” said Hidemasa Nakamura, a member of the organizing committee.
Adittional Information:
Breitbart: Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay: Masks, Quiet Cheering and Caution
AP News: Tokyo Olympic torch relay: Masks, quiet cheering and caution
