\u201cBiden May Hold the Key to Tokyo Olympics \u201d
Back‑to‑back pandemic woes and dwindling public enthusiasm have all but put the 2020 Games on life‑support. The Tokyo Organising Committee, led by former Dentsu executive Haruyuki Takahashi, got a boost of hope when he mentioned that U.S. President Joe Biden’s backing could tip the scale to a successful kickoff this July.
Why the U.S. Matters
- America sends the biggest athlete squad any Olympics has seen.
- They also secure the most lucrative TV rights deal for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- Thus, a presidential nod (or nudge) could accelerate momentum worldwide.
Takahashi’s Take
In a surprisingly candid interview with the Wall Street Journal, Takahashi said on Wednesday:
“President Biden is juggling a pandemic‑heavy agenda. But if he signs off on the Olympics, we’ll get a big push.”
“Calls for the Games fall under the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach, not the U.S. The U.S. simply doesn’t have that decision‑making power.”
As of now, Biden has stayed tight‑lipped about the Olympics. Yet his support—or lack thereof—could carry a lot of weight.
IOC’s Reply
The IOC promptly shot back:
“Mr. Takahashi’s comments are outdated.”
“The USOPC (U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) is the sole authority on U.S. team participation.”
“USOPC has made no doubt that it will compete.”
USOPC confirmed on Twitter last week that they had no credence that a switch in plans would happen.
Takahashi’s Background
He appears to be no stranger to high‑stakes dealings:
- Paid a whopping $8.2 million by the committee that won the 2020 bid.
- He’s now on the board that steers the Tokyo 2020 organising committee.
He denied any impropriety in the payment, even as critics pointed fingers.
Bottom Line
The Tokyo Games’ survival now hangs on a mix of pandemic management and political goodwill. Whoever—Biden or the IOC—vacuum their callouts could either fan the spark or douse it. Whether the Games light up or float away is anyone’s guess.
