Opposition to the Tokyo Games is "growing with calls mounting for a cancellation" following Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last week declaring a state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding areas amid the "surging virus," according to Wade & Kageyama of the AP. The IOC and local organizers already have said that "another postponement is impossible." Wade & Kageyama note that leaves cancellation -- or opening on July 23 -- as "the only options." Organizers have promised "strict 'anti-virus' measures to pull off the Olympics." But what they face -- vaccine or no vaccine -- is they "must bring 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, from more than 200 nations and territories, safely into Tokyo." On top of that are "tens of thousands of judges, coaches, officials, VIPs, sponsors, volunteers, media and broadcasters." Firm answers "probably must come by March 25" when the torch relay with 10,000 runners begins crisscrossing Japan, headed to Tokyo and the Opening Ceremony. Tokyo Medical Univ. Hospital infectious disease specialist Dr. Atsuo Hamada said that a "'bubble method' once seemed feasible," but the Olympics "would require dozens of 'bubbles dropped over a metropolitan area of 35 million" (AP, 1/13).
