STEPHEN WADEAP Sports Writer

Tokyo (AP) —Olympic Steward reiterates each year: The Olympics should not be political. But how do you avoid politics when you’re trying to stop this complex event in the midst of a deadly and protracted pandemic?

— The Japanese medical community is very opposed to these Olympics. Dr. Shigeru Omi, the government’s chief medical adviser, said detaining them during a pandemic was “abnormal.”

At its core is the “host city contract,” which gives the IOC the sole authority to cancel. If Japan cancels, the IOC will need to be compensated. And billions are at stake. Japan officially spent $ 15.4 billion, but government audits suggest that it is twice that. Japan’s advertising giant Dentsu, a major player who landed corruption-contaminated bids in 2013, has raised more than $ 3 billion from local sponsors.

Cancellations, according to estimates, are highly unlikely at this point within 48 hours of opening, but could cost the IOC up to $ 4 billion in broadcast rights revenue. Broadcasting and sponsorship make up 91% of the IOC’s revenue, and the American network NBCUniversal provides about 40% of the IOC’s total revenue.

The Associated Press sought a domestic and international perspective on the politics of wearing it.

Sophia University Political Scientist Koichi Nakano:

“It’s like a gambler who has already lost a lot. Now pulling it out only confirms the huge losses made, but continuing you is still a big win and the hope of regaining it all. You can stick. (Suga) Take the chance and do your best. At least you could claim that he succeeded in the game — just do it — and with pride and glory in the media. Saturation may help him turn around negative opinions. “

Mark Conrad, Lawyer, Fordham University Gaberi Business School:

“The IOC has a strong brand. Athletes from all over the world gathered to compete for peace are a moving attraction. It takes an entertainment event and instills some reverence and awe in it. Who Are you against peace? With this “Olympicism” as our goal, we have robbed corporate sponsors who are willing to pay large sums of money. Therefore, the IOC has the leverage to accurately apply very favorable terms and conditions, and in this case it does. The fact that only the IOC can formally decide to unplug the game proves this, even in the case of unpredictable health events. “

HELEN JEFFERSON LENSKYI, Sociologist, Author, “Olympic: Critical Approach”:

“The host city contract hands over all authority to the IOC. The Olympic industry has spent more than 120 years trying to win the hearts and minds around the world and has been visibly successful. In this era, their PR manages the message and protects the brand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The IOC is also out of the reach of any regulator, including the host country’s government. It may violate the protection of the human rights of a country with immunity, including the athlete’s right to access the courts of the United States. “

Akira Tominami, Political Scientist, University of Tsukuba:

“Based on what I’m hearing, people in government have been given instructions to make the tournament a reality, and that’s their only focus so far — for better or for worse. Their hopes are. The politicians may be familiar with the risks they are taking, but when the game begins, the Japanese people “for Japan” I hope you do your best and forget how you got there. “

Waseda University sociologist John Horn is co-author with Gary Wonell in “Understanding the Olympics.”

“The IOC is an elite club and has gained the support of other elites, people and nations seeking to join the elite. From a sports perspective, the IOC manages the exclusive medals that many sports athletes aspire to. Acting as the main proponent of the myth of the healing power of sports, it is organized by most international sports federations and the National Olympic Committee. It relies on funding. “

Doshisha University Political Scientist Gil Steele:

“Political, the opposition is so weak that the government can do almost anything. A tragic Olympics will undermine the credibility of the LDP, but the majority of the people doubt the opposition’s ability to govern. So the party probably feels safe. The government may be hoping that public opinion will change when the game begins — at least to create distractions and, at best, a flag-raising effect. Let’s do it. “

Robert Whiting, author of several books on Japan, including the latest “Tokyo Junkie”:

“I noticed that no one seems to be in charge. You have all these different organizations: Tokyo Organizing Committee. Japanese Olympic Committee. Prime Minister’s Office. Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. Sports Agency Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Suga was asked to cancel the game in the Diet and said he was not responsible.

Waseda University Political Scientist David Leheny:

“Many of the opponents are shallow and mobile, but of course that’s a condition that the Olympics actually work. Many people (such as broadcasters) invest to make it look like a good show, so COVID Without death or a surge in fever, they would blow behind-a related tragedy for athletes. “

RYU HOMMA, author and former advertising agency executive:

“If the number of coronavirus patients surges and it becomes a catastrophe, it is not the responsibility of the IOC. It is the Japanese government that is responsible.”

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