In 2013 when Tokyo was competing with Madrid and Istanbul for the opportunity to host the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, a poll by the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology showed that 92 per cent of the public supported Tokyo hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.1 The theme of their Games would be “Discover Tomorrow.” Tokyo won the bid despite an earthquake, tsunami, and radioactive leak at the city of Fukushima that struck the nation in 2011 and some renamed the Games as the “Recovery and Reconstruction Games.”2 Tokyo was seen as a safe choice with strong financial support, great opportunities for sponsorship, and a safe environment. Then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzu Abe, a driving force behind Tokyo’s bid declared, “[d]uring the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games I am determined to show to the world that Japan accomplishes remarkable reconstruction and stands at the forefront of the world once again.” 3
March 11, 2022 Feature
Tokyo 2020—The Games of Hope, Solidarity and Peace
By John T. Wendt
Fast forward to the start of the COVID–19 pandemic. At first, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (TOGOC) planned to continue to plan for the Games to be held in 2020.4 On March 17, 2020 IOC President Thomas Bach said, “[t]he I.O.C. remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage.”5 But, then on March 24, 2020 the decision was made to postpone the Games no later than the summer of 2021, “to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.”6 Bach compared the postponement and that the “Games has never been postponed before. We have no blueprint, but we are nevertheless confident we can put a beautiful jigsaw puzzle together and will then in the end have a wonderful Olympic Games.”7
In August of 2020 Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe resigned because of ill health. Abe’s successor Yoshihide Suga said that he was determined to have the Games in 2021 as “proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic” and that he would spare no effort to make sure that the Games were “safe and secure.”8 The new theme became the “Safe and Secure Games” as these words and this message was repeated continually in the buildup to the Games from IOC personnel9 to the leaders of the G7.10 However, the pandemic continued to build and Japan struggled with administering vaccinations.
Medical Concerns
Medical professionals urged the IOC to postpone or cancel the Games. Dr. Michael Osterholm, the director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, put it plainly, “you could not probably have had a worse time to put the Olympics on in terms of what the impact of COVID will be.”11 Peter Chin-Hong, Professor in the University of California San Francisco Health Division of Infectious Diseases, said, “it’s a perfect opening scene for a thrilling movie where everyone gets sick with Delta all over the world, and they trace it to the Olympics…The Olympics are not only just a local potential superspreading event in a poorly vaccinated country but [could perhaps become] a global superspreading event.”12
Other medical professionals expressed their concerns in terms of risk. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization told the IOC, “There is no zero risk in life; there is only more risk, or less risk. And you have done your best. The mark of success in the coming fortnight is not zero cases, and I know that some cases have already been detected. The mark of success is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible, and onward transmission is interrupted.”13
In a New England Journal of Medicine article, Osterholm and his co-authors suggested that the IOC’s Playbooks, the game plan for athletes to stay safe and healthy were not built on scientifically rigorous risk assessment. The authors should have developed a tiered risk management approach for different sports as low, moderate, or high COVID transmission risk. For example, outdoor events that are spread out such as sailing are equestrian would be low. Other outdoor sports where there is close contact such as soccer and rugby would be moderate. Indoor events with close contact such as wrestling and boxing would be high.14
Tedros framed their goals differently saying, “The mark of success in the coming fortnight is not zero cases… The mark of success is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible, and onward transmission is interrupted. That is the mark of success for every country.”15
Finally, the IOC Playbook notes that, “we draw to your attention that risks and impacts may not be fully eliminated and that you agree to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games at your own risk. We trust that these measures are proportionate to mitigate the abovementioned risks and impacts and we fully count on your support to comply with them.”16 Athletes who compete at the Games must sign a waiver releasing organizers from liability as a condition of their participation. At these Games there was a change in the waiver to include COVID issues and now says, “I agree that I participate in the Games at my own risk and own responsibility, including any impact on my participation to and/or performance in the Games, serious bodily injury or even death raised by the potential exposure to health hazards such the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious disease or extreme heat conditions while attending the Games.”17 While some athletes and groups expressed concerns, Lana Haddad, COO of the IOC said, “This is really to provide transparency and ensure the informed consent from the Games participants. The entry forms are consistent with the standard practice of all other big event organizers. And the forms are within the framework of the law, if I may add.” 18
Athlete Voices – “We are human”
Athletes’ mental health and pressure to perform at the Games came to the forefront when artistic gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from part of the Games. As Biles said, “We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day, we’re human, too…We have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”19 Just a few months earlier tennis star Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon citing her mental health and to focus on winning at the Tokyo Games for her home country of Japan. In an article in Time magazine, Osaka noted that “Athletes are humans…Perhaps we should (sic) give athletes the right to take a mental break.”20 At the Olympics there was additional pressure and stress on Osaka as she was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron becoming the face of the Games. Even though she lost in the third round, Osaka said, “I feel very, very proud…When I lit the flame, I was super honored. That’s a position that you dream about and not anyone can do it. And so, for me, when they asked me if I wanted to, I was very surprised but very honored and I’m just happy to be here and happy to play, especially in Tokyo.”21
Athletes are pushed and push themselves to reach greater heights. Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) is the international governing body for gymnastics. Back in 2006 FIG instituted a new scoring system that credits a gymnast’s routine for content, difficulty, and execution. It is open-ended scoring and no longer limited to a maximum of 10. Simone Biles is one of the most innovative gymnasts of all time often performing elements with great risk. She and USA Gymnastics are often at odds with the FIG over the value of the elements that she, and often she alone, can perform. For example, one of the moves, a dismount off the balance beam, called “The Biles” is a double somersault with two twists was given a lower value than what Biles and USA Gymnastics wanted. In a 2019 interview with NBC Sports, Biles said, “Am I in a league of my own? Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t credit me for what I’m doing. They keep asking us to do more difficulty and to give more artistry, give more harder skills. So we do, and then they don’t credit it, and I don’t think that’s fair.”22 In response to Biles’ criticism on social media23 the FIG noted the additional risk including a potential landing on the neck and that the determination was made “to protect the gymnasts and preserve the direction of the discipline.”24
Biles recognized that there was pressure on her, not only as a survivor of abuse from Larry Nassar, but also as the “head star of the Olympics” and was inspired by Naomi Osaka to recognize, talk about, and make decisions on mental health. “We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we’re human, too…We have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”25 As gymnastic elements have become riskier, in part because of Biles, she recognized the risk and chose not to assume it; “You have to be there 100%...If not, you get hurt…But once I came out, I was like, ‘No. My mental is not there.’” Biles went on to say, “I say put mental health first before your sport…I had to do what’s right for me and not jeopardize my health and well-being.”26
Biles was not alone to speak out. US swimmer Caeleb Dressel who won five gold medals in Tokyo has been very open about his struggles with stress and performance anxiety. 2016 Olympic Women’s Cross-Country Mountain Biking Champion Jenny Rissveds of Sweden dealt with severe depression after the Rio Games. In Tokyo she finished 14th but was elated saying that now the pressure was off, “I have a name and I hope that I can be Jenny now and not the Olympic champion, because that is a heavy burden. I hope that I will be left alone now.”27 Bernard Ouma, coach of Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot, the reigning 1,500-meter world champion said, “On a podium, people see athletes, others see machines that are running and have to be position one. At the back of my mind as a coach, I see a human being with social challenges as well, the family perspective and personal as well…”28
Both the IOC and the USOC have been working with athletes and their circles to recognize and help deal with mental health problems. The IOC Mental Health Working Group developed the “Mentally Fit Helpline” a free and confidential mental health and well-being support service available to all Olympians and Paralympians at the Games-time that was available 24 hours a day in over 70 languages.29 However at times reaching out was seen as a sign of weakness and as Biles said, “We have tons of resources available to us…But I wanted to tough it out to the last minute, but obviously it didn’t work that way.”30
Athlete Voices - Rule 50
Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter was designed to protect the neutrality of sports and the Games and simply states, “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”31 According to Athlete365, “It is a fundamental principle that sport is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or any other type of interference. Specifically, the focus for the field of play and related ceremonies must be on celebrating athletes’ performance and showcasing sport and its values.”32
Many remember the protests of Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman at the 1968 Games.33 But, at the 1906 Games Irish track star Peter O’Connor won gold in high jump and silver in long jump. At the time Ireland was not recognized as a national Olympic committee so he competed under the flag of Great Britain. It was the first time that flags were used and as the flag of Great Britain was being raised O’Connor climbed up the flagpole and unfurled a large green flag with a golden harp and the words “Erin Go Bragh” – “Ireland Forever” while his teammates held off the police.34
At the 1968 Games Wyomia Tyus, the first person, man or woman, to win consecutive 100 meters crowns at the 1964 and 1968 Games wore black shorts instead of the US official white shorts. Tyus said, “I was wearing the shorts long before Tommie and Carlos did their victory stand protest…But women were not heard or spoken to and black women definitely were not…”35 Also at those Games Věra Čáslavská, the eleven-time Olympic gymnastics medalist from the former Czechoslovakia and critic of communism, protested the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia turned her head down and away when the national anthem of the Soviet Union was played at the medal ceremony.36
Yet, the Olympic family was aware of the desire for athletes to express their views. The question was often where and when. The IOC Athletes Commission consulted and surveyed over 3,500 athletes, representing 185 different National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and all 41 Olympic sports. In the study, 70% of respondents said that it is not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, 70% of respondents at official ceremonies and 67% of respondents on the podium.37 The survey also led to the development of new guidelines as Rule 50.2. Under Rule 50.2 during the Games athletes have opportunities when speaking to, among others, the media, press conferences, interviews, and on social media. On the field, before competition or during introductions at athlete can make a statement as long as the expression is consistent with the Fundamental Principles of Olympism; not disruptive; not prohibited or otherwise limited by the rules of the relevant National Olympic Committee (NOC) and/or the competition regulations of the relevant International Federation (IF).38
As Athlete Commission Chair Kristy Coventry said, “While the guidelines offer new opportunities for athletes to express themselves prior to the competition, they preserve the competitions on the Field of Play, the ceremonies, the victory ceremonies and the Olympic Village. This was the wish of a big majority of athletes in our global consultation.”39 Expressions are not permitted in official ceremonies (Opening, Closing and Medal), during the competition on the field of play, and in the Olympic Village.40 IOC Vice President Anita DeFrantz is one of the most vocal advocates for the rights of athletes. But, as she said, “The podiums belong to no one…If you are fortunate enough to stand on one and you get to soak in that moment for the rest of your life, that moment is yours, but the podium is not yours.”41
There were several expressions at the Games including at the first soccer match when teams from Great Britain and Chile took a knee before the game started to highlight racial inequality and discrimination followed by teams in other Games.42 Members of the German women’s field hockey team wore armbands in rainbow colors in solidarity with LGBTQ communities. The Australian women’s soccer team unfurled an indigenous flag to show their support and in solidarity with indigenous Australians.43
US shot putter Raven Saunders placed second in competition and after receiving her silver medal, and after the Chinese national anthem played for winner Gong Lijiao, but while still on the podium Saunders raised her arms above her head in the shape of an “X” representing “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.”44 The USOPC investigated the incident and found that there was no violation as it “was respectful of her competitors and did not violate our rules related to demonstration.”45 The IOC suspended their investigation following the death of Saunders’ mother. US bronze medalist fencer Race Imboden received his medal with circled X drawn on the back of his right hand in a show of solidarity with Saunders.46
Three of the four members of the U.S. men’s fencing team wore pink masks in support of sexual assault victims and to protest the inclusion of reserve fencer Alen Hadzic on the epee team who has been accused of sexual misconduct.47 He was temporarily suspended from any fencing activities on June 2, 2021, by the U.S. Center for SafeSport amid sexual misconduct allegations. An arbitrator overruled the suspension, but a USA Fencing (UASF) “Safety Plan” was put in place, where Hadzic was prohibited from contacting three women who had made allegations, had to fly to Tokyo separately from the team and stay at a hotel rather than the Olympic Village.48 At a hearing at the Games, Hadzic’s appeal to remove the conditions of the Safety Plan was rejected, though USFA did move Hadzic and his coach to a hotel closer to the Village.49
Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi, gold medal winning cyclists from China wore pins featuring the head of China’s former leader Mao Zedong during the sprint medal ceremony. IOC Spokesman Mark Adams said, “We’ve contacted the Chinese Olympic Committee, asked them for a report about the situation and we are looking into the matter…”50 The athletes received a warning but retained their medals and after receiving assurances from China, considered the case closed.51
In a case of political intrigue, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a Belarusian Olympic track sprinter publicly criticized her coaches on social media. The Belarussian coaches withdrew her from the 200 Meters and the Women’s 4x400 relay based on her mental and emotional state. According to reports after her posts, Tsimanouskaya was told to pack her bags, say that she was injured, and say that she had to return home early.52 As she was travelling to the airport guarded by Belarusian team coaches Artur Shimak and Yury Maisevich, she called her grandmother back in Belarus who told her not to return home. At the airport she sought help from the Japanese police who removed her from the Belarusian officials who had accompanied her. Tsimanouskaya fled to the Polish Embassy where she was granted a humanitarian visa. She claimed that she was not a dissident but rather, “I just wanted to run at the Olympics, it was my dream…I still hope that these were not the last Olympics in my life.”53 Tsimanouskaya’s appeal to the CAS was unsuccessful.54 The International Olympic Committee cancelled and removed the credentials of Shimak and Maisevich were required to immediately leave the Olympic Village and their disciplinary cases will be heard later.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko recognizes the soft power of sports. Lukashenko served as the head of the Belarusian Olympic Committee since 1997 until the beginning of 2021 when his son Viktor was named. Alexander Lukashenko and has told athletes, “If you go there like tourists and bring nothing back, you better not return to the country…”55 According to the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation over 100 athletes were fined, dismissed from their positions, or arrested and jailed.56 Both Alexander and Viktor Lukashenko have been suspended by the IOC and were not accredited to attend the Games.57 Bach noted that the leadership of the Belarus Olympic Committee “has not appropriately protected Belarus athletes from political discrimination” within national sports organizations. This is contrary to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and therefore seriously affects the reputation of the Olympic movement…58
Athlete Voices—Sexualization of Sport
Numerous commentators have commented on the sexualization in player attire and uniforms.59 Athlete uniforms fall under the jurisdiction of the respective International Federations (IFs) governing international body for each sport and the National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Angela Schneider, the director of the International Centre for Olympic Studies and herself an Olympian said the conversation about sexism, objectification of female athletes and who decides what is appropriate “has been a very long time coming.” 60
The German women’s artistic gymnastics team opted for full length unitards rather than leotards a statement against “sexualization.” German gymnast Elisabeth Seitz said, “We wanted to show that every woman, everybody, should decide what to wear.” 61 German teammate Sarah Voss said, “It does not say that everyone should do it, it just says that everyone can do whatever they want. If they feel safe they can wear a normal leotard if they like it. If there is a certain point they think they would feel better in a long leotard, then they should do it… Every time you don’t feel safe it’s distracting you from what you want to perform. I think that feeling safe and not thinking about what other people can or cannot see is quite relieving when you can compete like that. Some girls quit this beautiful sport so that is why this is a great option for everyone to stay in the sport they love and don’t think about anything else about their body, just about their performance…”62
Before the Games at the European Beach Handball Championships, Norway’s women’s team was fined after its team members wore shorts instead of bikini bottoms. The International Handball Federation mandates that female athletes must wear bikini bottoms “with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg” and the maximum width must be 3.9 inches (10 centimeters). The men, on the other hand wear shorts that are not too baggy and have to stop 3.9 inches above the kneecap.63 Norwegian player Martine Welfler said, “I don’t see why we can’t play in shorts…With so much body shaming and stuff like that these days, you should be able to wear a little bit more when you play.” 64
Norway has been challenging this double standard since 2006 and decided to wear shorts at the European Beach Handball Championships and were fined $1,770 US (1,500 euros) by the International Handball Federation for a breach of clothing regulations. The Norwegian Handball Federation didn’t contest the decision and announced earlier that it they would pay the fine. Pop singer Pink expressing her support offered to pay the fine.65 Even the European Handball Federation (EHF) said that they would donate that amount to “a major international sports foundation which supports equality for women and girls in sports.” EHF president Michael Wiederer said, “We are very much aware of the attention the topic has received over the past days, and while changes cannot happen overnight, we are fully committed that something good comes out of this situation right now, which is why the EHF has donated the fine for a good cause promoting equality in sports…”66
Environmental Issues
Summers are always hot and humid in Japan. In fact, the last time Tokyo hosted the Games in 1964 they were held in the cooler times of October 10 – 24. However, those times now would conflict with the lucrative television football season. And in their Bid Book the organizers boasted, “With many days of mild and sunny weather, this period provides an ideal climate for athletes to perform at their best.”67 Tokyo organizers were aware that there were going to be heat issues with the Games from the time of their original bid and had made plans to ameliorate some of the problems.68 The Marathon and Race Walking events were moved to the cooler climes of Sapporo back in 2019.69 Based on advice from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Veterinary and Eventing Committees the Equestrian cross country course was further shortened to combat the effects of heat and humidity.70
The weather was so hot and humid that even after two medical timeouts and one visit from a trainer Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev asked the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos, “If I die, is the ITF (International Tennis Federation) going to take (sic) responsible?”71 Spain’s Paula Badosa suffered heatstroke and left the court in a wheelchair. 20-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic said, “I am playing tennis professionally for 20 years and I’ve never faced these kind (sic) of conditions in my entire life on a consecutive daily basis.”72 The International Tennis Federation (ITF) adjusted match starting times due to the increasing heat and humidity.
Open water (or marathon) swimming and the triathlon were held in Tokyo Bay, which is known to have e.coli problems as raw sewage often flows directly into the bay when there is rain. To combat the problem, organizers added sand and underwater screens to filter the water. The problem is that when the screens are closed, the water temperature rises and exposes the athletes to the risk of hyperthermia. Calls to relocate the triathlon and open water swimming competitions were rejected.73
Their concerns were soon realized. The Olympic and Paralympic Games were one the hottest and most humid on record with temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s and humidity higher than 80 percent posing the dangers of dehydration, excessive fatigue and heat stroke to athletes and Olympic staff.74 Professor Makoto Yokohari of the University of Tokyo and adviser to TOCOG said, “When you take into account not only the temperature, but also humidity, I would say that a Tokyo summer is the worst in the history of Olympics…”75
Even in Sapporo the conditions were brutal. At the start of the women’s marathon at 6 a.m., the temperature was 77 degrees but rose quickly to 86 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity around 84 percent.76 Fifteen of the 88 runners did not finish the race.77 In the men’s 50-kilometer race walk, 12 of the 59 athletes did not finish. In the women’s marathon, 15 of the 88 athletes did not finish the race. In the men’s marathon more than two dozen of the 106 runners did not finish. The 2024 Games will be held in Paris, France and organizers should review these Games in preparation for heat mitigation three years from now.
Doping and Performance Enhancing Drugs
The biggest story in the United States happened at the U.S. Olympic Trials where track star Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100 Meters but later tested positive for THC. Richardson admitted ingesting the banned substance to deal with a traumatic personal issue and said, “I want to take responsibility for my actions…I know what I did and what I’m not supposed to do. I know what I’m not allowed to do, and I still made that decision.”78 She received the minimum suspension of one month because her use was unrelated to sport performance, and she completed a counseling program. The one-month suspension is consistent with other suspensions for a similar violation. Unfortunately, the one-month suspension included the beginning of the Games.
USA Track & Field issued a statement, “Sha’Carri Richardson’s situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved. Athlete health and well-being continue to be one of USATF’s most critical priorities and we will work with Sha’Carri to ensure she has ample resources to overcome any mental health challenges now and in the future.”79 United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart said, “The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her…”80
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamie Raskin wrote to USADA to unilaterally overturn the decision. Athletes Dwayne Wade, Odell Beckham Jr., and Patrick Mahomes, II, as well 500,000 people who signed a petition all asked to let her run.81 Tygart explained that this cannot be done unilaterally, “ “Regarding the way in which THC positives are handled, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sets the rules for the world that all countries—including the United States—have to follow. While the U.S. government has a seat at the table to provide feedback, and will continue to speak up for athletes, we are ultimately bound to the WADA rules. This is true even in sad and tough cases like this one, where we might take a different approach if the choice was ours to make.”82 Tygart went on to say, “None of this makes the situation any easier, as the real issue here is trying to find ways to support athletes who find themselves dealing with mental health issues similar to hers, where she decided that the use of marijuana was her only option to deal with her emotional pain even though it could easily put her career at risk.”83
At the Games themselves an Australian equestrian show jumper was removed after testing positive for cocaine. Jamie Kermond admitted to a single recreation social use not related to the sport and said, “I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened and I accept full responsibility. I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and teammates. Hopefully one day I can be forgiven for my mistake [and make] amends through better actions and continued contribution to the sport I know and love.”84 As Australian’s reserve rider Rowan Willis had decided it was not in the best interest of his horse to compete, Australia was unable to field a show jumping team.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) manages anti-doping testing programs for International Federations, and Major Event Organizers including the Olympic Games. It was created by the IOC and WADA in 2018. For example, when an athlete is chosen for testing, they provide a urine sample of at least 90ml under direct observation of a Doping Control Officer (DCO) or witnessing chaperone of the same gender. The athlete then divides the sample between the A Sample and B Sample bottles and seals them. In most cases when the A Sample is tested it will either be a Negative Result if no Prohibited Substance is detected, or there is an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) that was caused by an ingestion of the Prohibited Substance and the athlete is provisionally suspended. When an athlete is notified of an AAF they have the right to request the analysis of the B Sample. If the B Sample does not confirm the result of the A Sample, then the entire test is considered as negative, and no further action will be taken against the Athlete. If the B Sample analysis confirms the AAF, analysis confirms the AAF, or alternatively if the athlete does not wish to have the B-sample analysis undertaken, the case will be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (IOC ADR).
The ITA reported Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) from samples against a number of athletes. Great Britain’s Chijindu (C.J.) Ujah samples showed the presence/use of a prohibited substance (Ostarine and S-23), and he has been provisionally suspended.85 Ujah was a member of Great Britain’s men’s 4x100m track relay, which won the silver medal but now could be disqualified. In addition, if Ujah is suspended it may be for four years, so he would miss the 2024 Paris Games. Alsadik Mikhou, the middle distance runner from Bahrain was been provisionally suspended for receiving a blood transfusion during the Games.86 Georgia’s national shot put record holder Benik Abramyan was provisionally suspended for the banned steroids dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone and metandienone, and tamoxifen.87 Kenyan sprinter Mark Odhiambo was provisionally suspended for the presence of Methasterone.88 Ukrainian triathlete Yuliya Yelistratova was provisionally suspended for the presence of recombinant erythroprotein (EPO).89
The specter of Russia’s doping scandal still cast clouds over the Games. At the end of 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) declared the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) for a period of two years and imposed consequences including that the athletes compete under “ROC” for “Russian Olympic Committee” and instead of their national anthem a Tchaikovsky concerto was played at medal ceremonies.90
Evgeny Rylov of Russia won the men’s 100 and 200 backstroke while Ryan Murphy of the United States was third in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 backstroke. After the 200 backstroke Murphy originally said, “It is a huge mental drain to go through the year knowing that I’m swimming in a race that’s probably not clean.” Later Murphy modified himself saying, “Congratulations to Evgeny, congratulations to Luke (Greenback of Great Britain who was third). They both did an incredible job. They’re both very talented swimmers. They both train real hard, and they’ve got great technique…At the end of the day, I do believe there’s doping in swimming.”91
Sport Governance
The IOC Session discussed and approved several amendments to the Olympic Charter including notably giving the Executive Board of the IOC the power to suspend sports from the Olympic program without approval from the Session. The aim of the amendment is to “Clarify that the IOC Session may remove any sport from the programme (sic) of the Olympic Games if, among other violations, the relevant International Federation (IF) governing such sport does not comply with the decisions of the IOC EB, or if the relevant IF acts in a manner likely to tarnish the reputation of the Olympic Movement.”92
IOC Vice-President John Coates admitted frustrations with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) which has been repeatedly warned to reform after a series of doping and corruption scandals. Coates said, “They (IWF) have been given very specific recommendations that have not been followed…The Executive Board made those directions for good reason, to ensure the reputation of the Olympic Movement, our reputation, was not tarnished. If Federations are going to continue to disregard directions, then there should be this power in there.”93
There is a bigger question within the Olympic movement, namely that there have been and continue to be changes and challenges to modernize the Games. Olympic Agenda 2020 is the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic movement and events can be reviewed in terms of university, cost, and complexity containment.94 At Tokyo there were new events, including skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing. And if new events are added, some events may be deleted. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) is the international governing body for equestrian sports. These events were seen as elitist, expensive, and too difficult to understand by the general public. As early as 2008 there were discussions that equestrian sports were under review.95 There were reports that equestrian sports could be one of six sports that could be eliminated from the Olympic Games altogether.96 The FEI met that challenge with the approval of major changes and the willingness to adapt and modernize directly and will be included in the Games at least until 2024.
Modern pentathlon was also one of the sports that was under review, had approved major changes and was guaranteed inclusion as an Olympic “core sport” until the 2020 Games. The International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) is the international governing body, and the sports consists of swimming, running, fencing, pistol shooting and horse-riding. IOC Founder Baron De Coubertin’s “belief that it would be this event, above all others, that tested a man’s moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, producing thereby the ideal, complete athlete.”97 In the horse-riding portion of modern pentathlon, athletes have only 20 minutes to bond with a random horse before guiding the horse to jump a series of obstacles. This is compared to equestrian and dressage athletes that have bonded with their horses over several years.
In Tokyo there was a major issue that damaged the image of the sport. In the women’s event five-time World Champion Annika Schleu of Germany was leading after the swimming and fencing and going into the riding. The horse she drew was Saint Boy, the same horse that had refused to jump several times for Gulnaz Gubaydullina of the Russian Olympic Committee. In what was described as a “nightmare” Saint Boy originally refused to start and then refused to complete the course costing Schleu the gold medal as she fell from first to thirty-first. Schleu’s coach Kim Raisner was seen urging Schleu to whip the horse to jump, which Schleu did repeatedly even as the horse appeared to be in distress. Then as Schleu and Saint Boy left the arena Raisner herself appeared to strike the horse with her fist in clear violation of UIPM rules and was given a Black Card and was disqualified from further competition at the Games.98
Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB) the German Olympic Sports Association issued a statement, “Today’s competition in modern pentathlon riding was partly characterized by scenes that damage the image of the sport. Numerous recognizable excessive demands on horse-rider combinations should be an urgent reason for the international association to change the rules. It needs to be redesigned to protect horse and rider. The welfare of the animals and fair competition conditions for the athletes must be the focus.”99
Yet, the President of the UIPM, Dr. Klaus Schormann originally said, “I must say to those who do not know our sport so well, the presentation of the facility and the horses were of a high quality. Maybe there were a few moments that you would say were not so nice but I tell you – the horses are absolutely excellent. We tested them and they were well prepared, and there is no basis for athletes to complain. It is only because of the athletes themselves if they were not successful in some parts of the competition…Everything was genius, was super, and I’m very happy…”100 But, the incident created an outcry and within a week, the Schormann and the UIPM announced that they are working on a new set of proposed rules after the “distressing scenes” at the Games. The UIPM stated that it reinforces the importance of both human and equine safety and that it regretted the trauma suffered by Saint Boy, and that “the best possible safeguards must be in place to minimise (sic) risk in future.”101
Moments of Hope
With his country of Tunisia in crisis after its President dismissed the Prime Minister and other ministers 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui, who had barely qualified defied all the odds and won the 400-meter freestyle from an outside lane ahead of the favored Americans and Australians. It was only the third medal won in swimming by Tunisia and only their fifth gold in all sports at the Olympic Games. At the press conference Hafnaoui said, “Of course, I surprised myself…It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it until I touched the wall and saw I was first. I was in tears when I saw the flag of my country being raised and I heard the anthem. I felt so proud…I dedicate this to all the Tunisian people. You have a champ now. I’m so happy to have a gold medal, just be proud of me, and that’s all.”102
In the men’s high jump, the gold medal came down to Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar. Both have battled injuries the past few years. Both helped each other in their recoveries. They are best friends. In the competition both cleared 2.37 meters and then both recorded three failures at 2.39 meters. Per the rules officials asked them if they wanted to proceed with a jump-off. Instead, Barshim had a different idea, “Can we have two golds?” and the track officials agreed. As Barshim “For me, coming here, I know for a fact that for the performance I did, I deserve that gold…He did the same thing, so I know he deserved that gold. This is beyond sport. This is the message we deliver to the young generation.”103
Gymnast, Oksana Chusovitina competed in a record eighth Olympic Games. Even with the median age rising to 21, Chusovitina is 46 and won her first medal, gold, in 1992 when she was competing for the Soviet Union – five years before Simone Biles was born. She has won eleven World Championship medals and has five gymnastics moves named after her because she was the first to perform them at a World Championship or Olympic Games. In her career she represented the Soviet Union, the United Team (after the demise of the Soviet Union) her native Uzbekistan, Germany and then Uzbekistan again. She had moved to Germany to get medical care after her son Alisher was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.104 In 2017 she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2017 but still competed. Throughout her 30-year career she has consistently ranked in the top eight in the world in vault. Though she did not qualify for the Finals, she received a standing ovation from the people that matter the most – her fellow competitors. As Chusovitina said, “It was really nice. I cried tears of happiness because so many people have supported me for a long time…I didn’t look at the results, but I feel very proud and happy. I’m saying goodbye to sports. It’s kind of mixed feelings.”105
Conclusion
Just before the Games began the IOC amended its motto from “Faster, Higher, Stronger” to “Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together” (Citius, Altius, Fortius - Communis’) in part, as Bach noted, to emphasize the need for solidarity in challenging times.106 In his Opening Speech at the Games Bach said, “We can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger, if we stand together – in solidarity. Therefore, the IOC has adapted the Olympic motto to our times: faster, higher, stronger – together. This feeling of togetherness – this is the light at the end of the dark tunnel.” In his closing speech again, Bach emphasized the same themes, “Dear athletes…You were faster, you went higher, you were stronger, because we all stood together – in solidarity…In these difficult times, you give the world the most precious of gifts: hope. For the first time since the pandemic began, the entire world came together. Sport returned to centre stage. Billions of people around the globe were united by emotion, sharing moments of joy and inspiration. This gives us hope. This gives us faith in the future. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 are the Olympic Games of hope, solidarity and peace.”107
From February 4 to 20, 2022, less than six months from now Beijing will host the XXIV Olympic Winter Games. There have been calls to boycott the Games over human rights violations by the Chinese government especially the Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region.108 There were calls to move the Games from Beijing. The continued Chinese crackdowns in Tibet and Hong Kong have further inflamed the situation.
The new waves and variants of the COVID pandemic has also created problems. To try and control the pandemic, China had instituted a strict “zero-tolerance” policy by sealing off entire cites, mandatory testing on tens of millions of people, and two to three weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine for visitors.109 But, can that policy work with an Olympic Games? Will the stands be spectator free as they were in Tokyo? Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., head of the IOC’s coordination commission said, “We need very successful Games next year in Beijing. We really need that success for the sake of everybody... for keeping that light of hope really bright and open.”110 They too need Games of Hope, Solidarity and Peace.
Endnotes
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