The Torch‑Bearer’s Dilemma in Tsuruga
Dreams, Nights and a Sudden Twist
Every night, when the city lights dimmed and the world fell quiet, Manabu Yoneshima imagined himself steering the Tokyo Olympic torch through the streets of the capital. He’d trained on weekends, juggling call‑ips, patient care, and a relentless desire to finish his medical career on a high note.
The Reality Check
Now, instead of sprinting under the gleaming torch, he finds himself pushing back his retirement and dealing with a pandemic that’s turned “good winter” into an unforeseen crisis.
Gut‑Feeling Guilt
- “Is it right, as the hospital head battling the virus, to light up a torch while everyone else is fighting an invisible enemy?”
- “I’m proud, but I feel like a circus performer when the show needs an emergency medical crew,” Manabu muses.
- He remembers the late‑night rounds, the frantic calls, and the fact that the Tsuruga Municipal Hospital is 330 km west of Tokyo, far from the Olympic buzz.
Since the COVID resurgence, the city’s vibe has shifted. People are “struggling and putting up with the pandemic,” and Yoneshima’s dream feels like a luxury he had no right to indulge in.
What’s Next?
Manabu is slowly re‑evaluating what it means to “cap” his career. A new plan might involve stepping back, re‑entering the nurse’s stool, and maybe—just maybe—parking the torch‑relay in a jackpot of future Olympic rituals.
With a mixture of humor and heartfelt honesty, the story shows that even a seasoned doctor can find himself at the crossroads of ambition and responsibility.
<img alt="" data-caption="Manabu Yoneshima, manager of Municipal Tsuruga Hospital and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games torch relay runner, works out by using bicycle machine in his hospital's rehabilitation room in Tsuruga, Japan, February 7, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”66d7edd7-487c-4a5a-8f6e-5c7adeaa064a” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210216_manabuworkingout_reuters.jpg”/>
Dr. Yoneshima’s Battle With Covid‑19 & His Marathon Dreams
On a rainy Monday in Tsuruga, a little town with just 66k residents, 65‑year‑old Dr. Yoneshima keeps walking the thin line between hope and exhaustion.
1. The Rural Hospital’s Juggling Act
- Limited Staff – With only a handful of nurses and technicians, every shift feels like a circus act.
- Equipment Shortage – Ventilators, masks, even spare beds are tight commodities.
- Old‑Age Surge – The influx of senior patients means more beds, more routine checks and a constant hum of anxiety.
He’s treated “dozens” of Covid cases – fewer than the big city spike – but the crunch is real. When vaccines roll out later this month, the staff will start shuffling to new roles, leaving the hospital in a tighter knot.
2. The Torch Relay Amid Strikes and Scrubs
Even though Tokyo and nine other prefectures are stuck in a state of emergency until March 7, the Olympic torch relay is slated to kick off on March 25. Expect:
- Smaller cheer squads
- Social distancing enforced like a new school rule
- About 10,000 runners to get their sweat on, all standing a safe distance away.
Yoneshima is skeptical, but he’s gearing up to join the field, hoping to keep the flame alive in his community.
3. When the Hospital Clock Stops
After a day of making rounds and hosting Covid‑bull sessions, evening time is when the doctor switches gears: a tracksuit, a borrowed treadmill, and a quiet “gym” room.
Weekend runs of 7 km (4.4 miles) are his escape – a brief moment of freedom in a hectic life. He smiles at the thought of dawdling along with a “yes, I can be a runner” mindset.
4. Takeaway: One Body, Two Missions
Dr. Yoneshima’s story blends relentless service with personal perseverance. While he pushes through shortages at the hospital, he also sprints toward his “serious road racing” dream, proving that even in tough times, a bit of humor, heart, and a dash of daring keeps the flame – and the feet – moving.
<img alt="" data-caption="Manabu Yoneshima, manager of Municipal Tsuruga Hospital and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games torch relay runner, attends a biweekly briefing for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at his hospital in Tsuruga, Japan, February 8, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”7fabf8c7-9097-4832-bc15-d44eea9233a7″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210216_manabuinameeting_reuters.jpg”/>
Yoneshima’s Olympic Dilemma: Running vs. Caring for Patients
When Yoneshima found himself chosen to carry the torch in the relay, his grin was wide. But the joy was short‑lived as a nagging worry crept in: would his stint on the track raise eyebrows among his hospital peers?
The Double‑Edged Sword of the Summer Games
- Many Japanese voters are against hosting the Olympics this year.
- Fear that an influx of international athletes could spark a new wave of the virus.
- Some staff members at Yoneshima’s hospital also voice doubts yet cheer him on.
Emi Tanaka, a nurse from the same hospital, shares her mixed feelings:
“Honestly, I think it’s impossible to have the Olympics right now,” she says. “Because our front‑line nurses, especially those treating coronavirus patients, have been forced to live in hotels, away from their families to keep infection risks low.”
Despite that, Tanaka remains hopeful. “I just want Yoneshima’s run to bring a little positivity to our team,” she laughs. “Maybe it’ll be the bridge we need to unite everyone.”
Political Storm: Mori’s Fire‑Shaped Comment and the Volunteer Exodus
The event’s preparation hit a rough patch this month when Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo organising committee, made sexist remarks. He stepped down on February 12, and the fallout was swift:
- Hundreds of volunteers left the organisation in protest.
- A celebrity torchbearer quit after Mori declared the Games would go ahead “regardless of how the coronavirus (situation) looks.”
- Officials shot out an apology email to torch runners, stressing that the relay would still run.
Even as the controversy simmered, Yoneshima is still ready to lace up.
Yoneshima’s Determined Spirit
He reportedly said, “If we can have the Olympics, I’m in!” and adds, “People may think differently, but I believe my torch relay can lift the spirits of medical workers and push us toward a hopeful future.”
Keep your eyes peeled for any new developments as the situation unfolds.
