Olympics

EDITORIAL | One Year to the Paris Olympics: It's Time to Reclaim the Power of Sports

We need to put the Tokyo 2020 scandals behind us and start cheering the athletes, who were not involved, as they prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Published

9 months ago

August 2, 2023

Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

A countdown clock shows "365" on July 26, one year before the opening of the Paris Olympics. Even at night, many people stopped and watched. In Paris (©Kyodo)

It is now less than one year until the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competition to select the members of national teams is intensifying and Japanese athletes are garnering attention at international competitions.

We receive many benefits from sports. For one, we can share a sense of unity by experiencing the same emotions watching exciting competitions.

When a Japanese team is successful, that invigorates society and makes us feel proud to be citizens of the same country. That is where the "power of sports" lies.

Japan finished third in the men's Volleyball Nations League in July. It was the team's best showing in an international event since it earned the bronze at the 2005 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup.

At the World Aquatics Championships which just finished in Fukuoka City, Japan captured four gold medals in the artistic swimming category. If silver and bronze medals are added, Japan's medal haul of seven artistic swimming medals matches its record performance in 2022 for that discipline. We offer congratulations and applause to the athletes whose daily training has paid off so well.

*JOC President Yasuhiro Yamashita receives an invitation from IOC President Bach (right) on July 26, one year before the opening of the Paris Olympics. (©Kyodo)*

Scandals Dampen Public Enthusiasm

Public interest in the Olympics seems to have waned since the Tokyo Games were held in the summer of 2021. Distrust of the Olympic Games has grown due to irregularities surrounding preparations for that event, including several bid-rigging scandals

There is no denying that memories of how moved and excited we became two years ago have faded.

But our athletes should not be held responsible for these problems. Rather, we should remind ourselves their incredible struggles and achievements have reaffirmed the inherent power of sports.

After all, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Japan men's soccer team, aka the Samurai Blue, showed historic progress, defeating powerhouses Germany and Spain in succession.

And who can forget Samurai Japan's title-winning victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) championship game in March?

Furthermore, the FIBA Basketball World Cup is scheduled to begin in late August. First- and second-round games will be held in Okinawa. And the Rugby World Cup will begin in France in September.

*A monument with the Olympic mark is installed in front of the Paris City Hall. It is one year before the opening of the Paris Olympics. July 25, Paris (©Kyodo)*

Finding the Power of Sports Beyond the Silent JOC

Currently, there is no goal to create stronger athletes. However, continuing our support for athletes who carry the flag of Japan and compete around the world reflects a legacy that we, as a country that has hosted the Olympics, must protect.

Unfortunately, the current Japanese Olympic Committee has been poor at communicating a position as an organization for good governance in sports. That includes preparations for the Olympics. And the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee is now under liquidation. It lacks awareness as one of the parties involved in the bribery scandals surrounding the Tokyo Olympics. These organizations threaten to thwart a wave of enthusiasm building as the Paris Olympics approach.

Hopefully, Japan's athletes will demonstrate that the power of sports is not at all compromised.

Rather than succumbing to a feeling of "I've had enough of the Olympics" because of the negative fallout from the Tokyo Olympics, may we instead once again become inspired by the power of sports.