No fans. No problem.
Island athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics said Thursday鈥檚 announcement that there will be no spectators allowed in the venues won鈥檛 be a major issue for them. They are simply grateful there is a Games in which to perform.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just background noise. I鈥檓 still just as focused,鈥� said track cyclist Jay Lamoureux of Victoria, who will compete on the Canadian pursuit team in the Olympic velodrome.
鈥淲hat matters the most is that the Games are happening.鈥�
It鈥檚 not as if athletes haven鈥檛 been used to competing in empty or limited-capacity venues the past 16 months, including in the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament last week at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
鈥淲e鈥檝e competed in many events [during the pandemic] without fans,鈥� said Lamoureux.
鈥淲e鈥檙e well versed in that by now.鈥�
Island runner Cam Levins of Black Creek, who will represent sa国际传媒 in the Olympic marathon in Japan, said he appreciates the lift he gets from road-side supporters cheering on the runners, but that he has also raced in events that are sparsely lined with people.
鈥淵ou cheer yourself on,鈥� said Levins.
Since 73 per cent of the International Olympic Committee鈥檚 income is derived from broadcasting revenues, and another 18 per cent from sponsors who rely on the broadcasting exposure from the Games, organizers are well aware that all that really needs to be staged in Tokyo is a made-for-TV studio event.
It could still be uplifting for the world, even more so considering the circumstances, and the athletes will adapt.
鈥淸With no fans], you will have to find motivation from elsewhere,鈥� has been the take of Emma Entzminger of Victoria, who will play infield at Tokyo for sa国际传媒鈥檚 Olympic medal-touted women鈥檚 softball team.
鈥淏ut at that point, the athletes will just be grateful that it鈥檚 happening at all.鈥�
More than 75 Island or Island-based athletes are preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer.
鈥淔rom a players鈥� perspective, it鈥檚 a shame not to play in front of spectators in the stadium, but you can understand the decision,鈥� said Nate Hirayama, captain of the Tokyo-bound and Langford-based men鈥檚 rugby sevens Olympic team.
鈥淚t鈥檚 out of our control,鈥� added the former University of Victoria Vikes star.
鈥淭hese Olympic Games are going to be unique in so many ways and this is just another aspect of it.鈥�
With attendances at the Euro soccer championships and Wimbledon tennis steadily increasing as those tournaments have progressed, and the U.S. back to full attendance at sporting events, the negative reaction to the fact the Olympics are proceeding has been near hysterical in some quarters and out of proportion by comparison.
鈥淛ust add it [no fans] to the list of things in COVID,鈥� said Connor Braid of Oak Bay, another member of the Olympic rugby sevens team.
鈥淚t鈥檚 water off a duck鈥檚 back by now. It is what it is. Japan is in our pool so maybe having no fans will be an advantage for us.
鈥淚 think most athletes heading to Tokyo have long since acknowledged this will not be the normal Olympic experience,鈥� Braid said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to march in the opening and closing ceremonies or party in the athletes鈥� village after our competition is done or be taking pictures of ourselves besides NBA players. This is more about the process and knowing what you can and can鈥檛 control.鈥�
