Fifth of Tokyo 2020 volunteers could pull out of rearranged Olympics, survey finds
Tokyo 2020 is facing the potential loss of a fifth of its volunteer workforce due to Covid-19 disruption, a survey indicated on Monday, as the rearranged Games faces fresh uncertainty following a surge of cases in Japan.
In a questionnaire carried out in the first three weeks of July, 21.5 per cent of those due to work around the sporting venues and athletes' village said they believed that they may need to pull out due to the impact the pandemic has had on their studies or job situation.
Two thirds of volunteers, meanwhile, expressed safety concerns over next summer's postponed Games, even before cases spiked recently in the Japanese capital.
The cumulative total of infections in Japan surpassed 50,000 on Monday, with Tokyo continuing to be the worst hit area, confirming 197 new daily infections, the first drop under 200 since July 27 when 131 cases were reported.
Daily figures have been running high in Tokyo since late July and hit a daily record of 472 on August 1. The surge will have added to the concerns of the 66.8 per cent of respondents who told an online survey by the organisers that their biggest worry was how the Games will be held and with what safety measures in place.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to place doubt on even the rescheduled Olympics, which are due to begin in 12 months. Team GB have renegotiated hundreds of contracts for next year and, crucially, they have been able to confirm The Odaiba School in Tokyo Bay, which they will transform into a £1 million elite performance centre. Team GB athletes, coaches and family will have sole access to the building; a factor that could be particularly significant next summer if the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to create additional restrictions and risks.
In a bid to safeguard the Games, the International Olympic Committee has been exploring as many as 200 simplification measures, which would initially focus on limiting ‘non-essentials’, such as personnel and travel in and around Tokyo. Team GB expect to be represented next summer by almost 400 athletes and, although numerous qualification and selection events are still unscheduled, there are still likely to be more women than men for the first time. Team GB finished second in the medals table in 2016.
