TOKYO (AP) — Seated inside Tokyo’s new $1.4 billion National Stadium, Sebastian Coe again tried to reassure athletes and skeptical residents of Japan that the postponed Olympics will be safe when they open in just under 11 weeks. The Olympics and Paralympics will draw 15,000 athletes and tens of thousands of officials, judges, media and broadcasters. Miyuki Otomo, a retired teacher attending the rally, called the Olympics a “horrendous event” that is being pushed on the public for commercial reasons. Some medical officials in Japan have also suggested the Olympics be canceled, as did the British Medical Journal in a editorial last month. “I don’t think athletes should be treated specially,” she said.

Source: Egypt Independent May 09, 2021 10:52 UTC