Last night, it was decided that the Tokyo Olympic Games will be held without spectators at venues in the city.
....
Damn it, I wanted to watch it in person!!!
I was lucky enough to win tickets to the second match of the men's indoor volleyball semi-finals. In 2019, I was excitedly waiting for the past two years, believing that I would be able to watch the match even though it was postponed due to COVID-19. Since it's the semi-finals, it may be difficult for Japan to advance, but there may be a chance to see the Polish national team play. I have a Polish muffler towel, I bought a new uniform when I went to Poland last year before COVID-19, and I can even sing the Polish national anthem by heart (lol), so I was fully prepared to watch the match at Ariake Arena. I wanted to see which team would be in the second semi-final against Poland, and I wanted to see Poland win against Brazil, so I was simulating things like this, with this team ranked like this in the qualifiers and facing this team in the first round of the tournament... I was grinning to myself. That excitement was shattered in an instant by yesterday's announcement.
The new uniform
I can fully understand the reason. With the coronavirus infections in Tokyo not subsiding, I can understand that it must have been a difficult decision to declare a state of emergency during the Tokyo Olympics. However, without fear of criticism, I would say that I wanted to watch the games at the venue. I wanted to cheer on and praise the athletes who were performing at their best at the venue.
What has the Japanese government really done up until now? Haven't they been taking measures against the coronavirus with an eye on the Tokyo Olympics? To be honest, holding the Olympics without spectators is not just the same as not holding the event at all, but even more pointless. In hindsight, if it had ended up like this, they should have canceled it early last year, and then each party could have had discussions about holding some kind of alternative event with spectators in their own locations. Personally, I think that would have been much better. Well, it's too late now, though.
I was really, really, really looking forward to it, so it's a huge shock. It could have been a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it has turned into something I may never experience in my lifetime. But the biggest shock is probably the players who will actually be playing at the venue. The Nations League that took place the other day was held without spectators from the start, and the venue layout was based on that premise, but the Tokyo Olympics will be played without spectators at the spacious Ariake Arena. There was still a somewhat empty atmosphere at the Rimini venue for the Nations League, so I'm sure the Ariake Arena will feel even lonelier... All we can do now is hope that the players will stay motivated and somehow put on a good performance, even if it's just through the screen.
I've said a lot so far, but let me say it one more time.
....
Damn it, I wanted to watch it in person!!!
Photo: FIVB
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