Former Japanese Olympian Murofushi urges swift decision-making at pandemic-hit Games

Record ID: 1627115

  • Title: Former Japanese Olympian Murofushi urges swift decision-making at pandemic-hit Games
  • Date: 16th July 2021
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) COMMISSIONER OF JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY, KOJI MUROFUSHI, SAYING: "This is the first time we're holding the Olympics and Paralympics amid the coronavirus, so we are being very careful and couldn't arrive at the conclusion swiftly, as the situation kept changing day-by-day. That's why it's important to accept that with flexibility." PLUSH TOY OF TOKYO 2020 MASCOT, MIRAITOWA, WITH OTHER ITEMS ON COUNTERTOP (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) COMMISSIONER OF JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY, KOJI MUROFUSHI, SAYING: "A lot of people would be coming and gathering around the train stations when they leave, a lot of people would be gathering, and go elsewhere in big groups. So after the events end, experts were concerned about these situations." MUROFUSHI SPEAKING IN HIS OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) COMMISSIONER OF JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY, KOJI MUROFUSHI, SAYING: "From the perspective of the athletes, this is very tough. They have already trained under various restrictions and now even after arriving at the Games, basically, they're not allowed to go outside." MUROFUSHI'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) COMMISSIONER OF JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY, KOJI MUROFUSHI, SAYING: "They (the athletes) can only be at the Village, their rooms, training facilities and the stadium. Even if they go to the cafeteria, people cannot interact with one another. The cafeteria is a place people would usually be able to go to to relax, but this time round, that may not be likely, so I'm sure they will have a lot of stress. But I believe that as of this time, the athletes understand the situation and will cooperate with us. But I believe things are very difficult (for the athletes)."
  • Embargoed: 30th July 2021 09:18
  • Keywords: COVID-19 Japan Japan Sports Agency Koji Murofushi Olympic Games Summer Games Tokyo Tokyo 2020 Tokyo Olympics coronavirus government pandemic quarantine
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Olympics,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA002EM38T33
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Japanese Olympic gold medallist turned chief of the Japan Sports Agency, Koji Murofushi, said on Friday (July 16) that Olympics organizers needed flexibility and swift decision-making in reacting to the spread in COVID-19 infections with the Games only a week away.
    Murofushi, who won a gold medal in the hammer throw at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a bronze medal in 2012, had been sports director for the Tokyo Games, postponed by a year due to the pandemic, until being named chief of the sports agency, a government department, in September.
    "This is the first time we're holding the Olympics and Paralympics amid the coronavirus, so we are being very careful and couldn't arrive at the conclusion swiftly, as the situation kept changing day-by-day. That's why it's important to accept that with flexibility," Murofushi, 46, told Reuters in an interview at his Tokyo office.
    Several athletes and staff working for the Olympics in Japan have been hit by COVID-19 cases. The Games, due to start on July 23, will be held without spectators - a decision reached by the organizers only last week.
    (Production: Joseph Campbell)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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