Good news for Tokyo Olympics fans

There is good news from the Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee in recent days. The latest one hears from the International Olympic Committee and the local organisers is that the Games in 2021 will definitely go ahead.

As of now, all planning is on track with the hope that the quadrennial extravaganza will be staged in July 2021. With recent months post pandemic having seen a slight increase in sport activity around the world, the general feeling is the Tokyo Olympics will happen, whether there is a vaccine or not.

There is no doubt the Corona virus cases have settled down in China and Japan, the host country. However, in certain European nations, there is a spurt in Covid-19 cases mainly because of the onset of winter.

What was most heartening to hear from the Tokyo organisers is that visitors/spectators from overseas will be able to come to Japan for the Games without much hassle. According to official sources, nearly 35 per cent of the tickets for the Games have been returned after the event got postponed. It means, there will be a fresh sale/allocation of tickets.

Reports suggest the protocol for visitors with valid tickets for the Olympics can enter Japan with Covid-19 negative reports. There will be various security checks and monitoring in place, which is but natural. The most important aspect is the Tokyo Olympics will not be held behind closed doors, as has been the case with several sporting events held in 2020.

It includes, football, golf, Formula One and also bilateral cricket series. In fact, the forthcoming India vs Australia cricket series Down Under will also witness spectator entry. At a venue like the MCG in Melbourne, nearly 25,000 spectators will be allowed inside the arena which has a capacity of around 1,00,000.

These are interesting days for Olympic fans what with fresh ticket sales a certainty and Japan showing the heart to allow foreigners inside in 2021.

As regards the vaccine, the race is on after Pfizer announced good results. Russia, too, is working hard on a vaccine, samples of which are also being tested now in India in defence labs.