Decision day is fast approaching for the Tokyo Olympics, says Roger Federer.
Federer said given health and safety concerns over a potential spike in Coronavirus cases, he understands if the Olympics are cancelled. Federer, who served as Swiss flag bearer in past Olympics and partnered buddy Stan Wawrinka to doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Games said “what athletes need is a decision: is it done or is it not done?”
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“It’s difficult,” Federer told Swiss TV network Leman Bleu. “We don’t hear much. It makes me think that the Games will take place, even though I have heard that many people in Tokyo are against the Games.
“Apparently many are not vaccinated either…I think what athletes need is a decision: is it done or is it not done?”
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics are scheduled for July 23rd to August 8th, however Japanese citizens are understandably concerned about the prospect of international athletes and coaches arriving in Tokyo and potentially spreading the virus. Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Federer said he has taken the Pfizer shot.
Japanese superstars Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori have mixed emotions over chasing their Olympic dreams.
Both are eager to play the Games in their home nation, but question the health cost at play.
Both say the state of the pandemic in Japan—and the prospect of so many international visitors descending on the nation—may make it too risky to play the Olympics.
“I feel like of course I would say I want the Olympics to happen, because I’m an athlete and that’s sort of what I have been waiting for my entire life,” Osaka said.
“But I think that there is so much important stuff going on, and especially the past year, I think a lot of unexpected things have happened.
“For me, I feel like if it’s putting people at risk and if it’s making people very uncomfortable, then it definitely should be a discussion, which I think it is as of right now.”
Nishikori said a strict bubble is the only way the Games can be staged safely.
“It’s tough to really say right now,” Nishikori said. “If you can make a good bubble maybe you can do it, but there is some risk too. What happens if there is a hundred cases in the village or it can be thousands? Corona can spread very easy.”