I think it is still way too early to predict any of this. So far, the virus is not a major problem in the U.S. or Japan. Of course, that could change quickly. So plans should be on target for now, perhaps with contingent backup plans. However, if Japan is deemed too unsafe for the Olympics, would there really be another suitable sight that could be up and running quickly? I think not.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Tokyo has no 'Plan B' for Games despite coronavirus (Note this affects NBC Sports)
- Thread starter Y2kTheNewOldies
- Start date
I mean, good lord, there are countless large gatherings that happen when the flu is active and roaming about. I get there are differences, but some perspective is helpful.
True too. But with the Flu and Measles yes you can take vaccines (if you are not immunocompromised) to stop the spread of the flu and measles. However for COVID-19 there are vaccines and antivirals still waiting for FDA approval though to be used in hospitals.
We don't even know if those vaccines will be successful. It takes 18 months for approval once it gets through trials.
And really, if you're talking about a true pandemic, epidemic, whatever, with potential to make many people very sick, possibly fatally, with no known cure or preventive vaccine, then the scheduling of any sporting event, even the Olympics, becomes a very secondary concern -- even to the network executives and the money changers in their Wall Street temples, should they or their families become victims.
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/he...kend/283-9e8f1a3b-8c42-4a41-a56e-7eb6595d945a
https://www.businessinsider.com/nik...dquarters-in-oregon-after-1st-us-death-2020-3
Update Nike a major sponsor for various sports leagues has closed their Oregon offices due to a COVID-19 Scare in the area. How much does Nike sponsor Olympic athletes is not known to me though.
https://www.businessinsider.com/nik...dquarters-in-oregon-after-1st-us-death-2020-3
Update Nike a major sponsor for various sports leagues has closed their Oregon offices due to a COVID-19 Scare in the area. How much does Nike sponsor Olympic athletes is not known to me though.
And no one will care who the "fastest human being on earth" is at 100 meters.
Totally agree. It feels like the hype is outrunning the reality. And I have respiratory issues, as do many members of my family. I fully understand concern and precautions. I also think reasonable perspective is important.
It was interesting today for the first time, the church I attend specifically called out that the traditional greetings with handshakes could do without the handshakes for an indefinite period of time. And at Costco the employees wiped down the cart handle for everyone entering the store—not optional. Do either have an effect? Beats me. Hey, maybe for stopping the common cold, which I’d take—coronavirus be darned.
No pun intended, but I think the public would do well to take a deep breath.
MLB Preseason is coming soon and I will say again there will have to be league wide protocols on how to slow down COVID-19 as recommended by the CDC. So will the NHL and NBA. Once these other leagues have the preparations down then the Olympics are OK from there.
It started a week ago last Friday -- Feb. 21. Because the regular season starts in late March (to allow more off days, per agreement with the players union), teams now report around Feb. 10 and play their first preseason games about a dozen days later. Last year was the first season for this.
Some teams are having their first regular season game on Thursday March 26th. Others are having their first regular season game on Friday March 27th.
Protocols are basically what we know. People need to wash hands, properly, be mindful of close personal contact and stay home when feeling sick.
If you think everyone at a large-scale gathering is going to adhere to that, I have a bridge to sell you. So that leaves the reality to hold the event or don’t. Accept the risk or err on the side of caution. There is no set of instructions that’s going to make a stadium or arena filled with tens of thousands safer, because tens of thousands aren’t going to follow “rules.”
Many will. Enough won’t to make it a gamble.
But that’s true with the flu, colds, etc.
If you think everyone at a large-scale gathering is going to adhere to that, I have a bridge to sell you. So that leaves the reality to hold the event or don’t. Accept the risk or err on the side of caution. There is no set of instructions that’s going to make a stadium or arena filled with tens of thousands safer, because tens of thousands aren’t going to follow “rules.”
Many will. Enough won’t to make it a gamble.
But that’s true with the flu, colds, etc.
I think they'll wait until the late April/May timeframe before making a cancellation or movement decision.
Considering the logistics involved, it would be hard to imagine that another venue could host this year. Might they just move them forward in Tokyo a year? Possibly a Southern Hemisphere venue, say Melbourne or Sydney, both of which have hosted the Games previously could hold them in October/November. South America is out as there is no Games infrastructure there. What was built for Rio is now basically rubble.
Considering the logistics involved, it would be hard to imagine that another venue could host this year. Might they just move them forward in Tokyo a year? Possibly a Southern Hemisphere venue, say Melbourne or Sydney, both of which have hosted the Games previously could hold them in October/November. South America is out as there is no Games infrastructure there. What was built for Rio is now basically rubble.
It's not just finding places for the athletes to play and live. It's about the enormous human and logistical infrastructure needed. Contracts have been signed for all sorts of Games-related services with Japanese companies, a process taking YEARS. You just don't start that whole process again with Australian contractors and hope to have everything ready by October. I hope the outbreak is contained and that the direst of the warnings don't come true. I hope to be watching the Olympic sports I like (track & field, boxing, tennis, baseball) this summer. But honestly, my world won't end if there aren't any Summer Games until Paris 2024. What happens to Tokyo? What happens to Comcast/NBC/Universal? None of my concern. Let the accountants and the lawyers have at it.
They had the summer games in what was their winter, but I suppose that wasn't important.
If the athletes and spectators are OK with temps in the 50s and 60s rather than the 80s and 90s, no.
Interview about NBC coverage and advertising. Apparently Discovery Channel is also involved here:
https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-tokyo-olympics-spending-advertising-1203518889/
https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-tokyo-olympics-spending-advertising-1203518889/
Those Games were held as scheduled, in Berlin. You may have seen film of them. The huge sums of money in play here weren't in play in 1940 and 1944, when XII and XIII (Tokyo and London) were canceled. Television was in its experimental stages, and if radio rights were even a thing back in those days, they surely didn't even enter the committee's minds as the war escalated. Today, the threat is a disease whose scope and impact are purely conjecture at this point. There is no agreement even among epidemiologists. So I'd imagine that the IOC has at least thought about a Plan B (Or should that be a Plan C, since Plan A is "hold them" and Plan B is "cancel them," right?) but either hasn't come up with one or hasn't revealed it yet.
- Status