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Concerns and controversies at the 2020 Summer Olympics

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Olympic rings
Part of a series on
2020 Summer Olympics

There have been concerns and controversies about the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will be hosted in Tokyo, Japan.

IAAF bribery claims

In January 2016, the second part of a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commission report into corruption included a footnote detailing a conversation between Khalil Diack, son of former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack, and Turkish officials heading up the Istanbul bid team.[1] A transcript of the conversation cited in the report suggested that a "sponsorship" payment of between US$4 million and 5 million had been made by the Japanese bid team "either to the Diamond League or IAAF".[1] The footnote claimed that because Istanbul did not make such a payment, the bid lost the support of Lamine Diack. The WADA declined to investigate the claim because it was, according to its independent commission, outside the agency's remit.[1]

In July and October 2013 (prior to and after being awarded the Games), Tokyo made two bank payments totalling SG$2.8 million to a Singapore-based company known as Black Tidings. The company is tied to Papa Massata Diack, a son of Lamine Diack who worked as a marketing consultant for the IAAF, and is being pursued by French authorities under allegations of bribery, corruption, and money laundering.[2] Black Tidings is held by Ian Tan Tong Han, a consultant to Athletics Management and Services—which manages the IAAF's commercial rights and has business relationships with Japanese firm Dentsu. Black Tidings has also been connected to a doping scandal involving the Russian athletics team.[2][3][4]

Japanese Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 board member Tsunekazu Takeda stated that the payments were for consulting services, but refused to discuss the matter further because it was confidential. Toshiaki Endo called on Takeda to publicly discuss the matter. Massata denied that he had received any money from Tokyo's organizing committee.[2][4] The IOC established a team to investigate these matters, and will closely follow the French investigation.[5]

In January 2019, a source revealed that Takeda was being formally investigated over alleged corruption.[6] On 19 March 2019, Takeda resigned from the JOC.[7]

Logo plagiarism

The original logos of the 2020 Summer Olympics (top left) and Paralympics (top right) and the logo of the Théâtre de Liège (bottom).

The initial design for the official emblems of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics were unveiled on 24 July 2015. The logo resembled a stylized "T": a red circle in the top-right corner representing a beating heart, the flag of Japan, and an "inclusive world in which everyone accepts each other"; and a dark grey column in the centre representing diversity.[8] The Paralympic emblem was an inverted version of the pattern made to resemble an equal sign.[9]

Shortly after the unveiling, Belgian graphics designer Olivier Debie accused the organizing committee of plagiarizing a logo he had designed for the Théâtre de Liège, which aside from the circle, consisted of nearly identical shapes. Tokyo's organizing committee denied that the emblem design was plagiarized, arguing that the design had gone through "long, extensive and international" intellectual property examinations before it was cleared for use.[10][11] Debie filed a lawsuit against the IOC to prevent use of the infringing logo.[12]

The emblem's designer, Kenjirō Sano, defended the design, stating that he had never seen the Liège logo, while the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG) released an early sketch of the design that emphasized a stylized "T" and did not resemble the Liège logo.[12] However, Sano was found to have had a history of plagiarism allegations, with others alleging his early design plagiarized work of Jan Tschichold, that he used a photo without permission in promotional materials for the emblem, along with other past cases.[12] On 1 September 2015, following an emergency meeting of TOCOG, Governor of Tokyo Yōichi Masuzoe announced that they had decided to scrap Sano's two logos. The committee met on 2 September 2015 to decide how to approach another new logo design.[12]

On 24 November 2015, an Emblems Selection Committee was established to organize an open call for design proposals, open to Japanese residents over the age of 18, with a deadline set for 7 December 2015. The winner would receive ¥1 million and tickets to the opening ceremonies of both the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.[13][14][15] On 8 April 2016, a new shortlist of four pairs of designs for the Olympics and Paralympics were unveiled by the Emblems Selection Committee; the Committee's selection—with influence from a public poll—was presented to TOCOG on 25 April 2016 for final approval.[14]

The new emblems for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were unveiled on 25 April 2016; designed by Asao Tokolo, who won a nationwide design contest, the emblems take the form of a ring in an indigo-coloured checkerboard pattern. The design is meant to "express a refined elegance and sophistication that exemplifies Japan".[16]

Fukushima radiation

The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced that the Olympics torch relay will begin Fukushima, and the Olympic baseball and softball matches will be played at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium, 55 miles (89 km) from the nuclear meltdown, despite the fact that the scientific studies on the safety of Fukishima are currently in great dispute.[17][18] In relation to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in multiple nuclear meltdowns and an official Level 7 disaster, officials from W.H.O. and the United Nations have determined that the risks of dangerous radiation exposure are minimal.[19] Nevertheless, some scientists and citizens remain skeptical.[20] Former nuclear industry executive and whistleblower Arnold Gundersen and his institute, Fairewinds Associates, tested for the presence of radioactive dust on land scheduled to be used for certain events, including baseball, softball and the Olympic torch relay.[21] At these facilities, the legally allowable radiation levels are higher than at other athletic facilities.[22] According to certain models, such as the National Academy of Sciences' "linear, no-threshold" model, small increases in radiation exposure may cause proportional health risks.[23] The Japanese government posted that measured radiation levels in Fukushima city are comparable with safe readings in Hong Kong and Seoul, while Tokyo’s readings are even lower, in line with Paris and London.[24] However, the data collected by the monitoring posts installed by the Japanese governments are partial and non-representative of the extent of radioactive contamination, as they measure only the atmospheric radiation levels in the form of gamma rays, but not radionuclides, such as cesium-137, which emit alpha and beta particles that are dangerous when inhaled or ingested.[24] It is also pointed out that the government-installed monitoring posts are placed strategically and the areas surrounding the posts were cleaned so that the radiation levels remain lower.[24] Additionally, food from the region is tested intensively for safety.[25] In October 2019, after tons of poorly-secured radioactive Fukushima waste were swept away by the typhoon Hagibis,[26] the IOC chief Thomas Bach promised to carry out inspections on radiation safety.[27]

Acknowledgement of disputed territories

Main articles: Liancourt Rocks dispute and Kuril Islands dispute

Russian and South Korean officials took issue with a map of the torch relay on the Games' official website, which depicted the disputed Liancourt Rocks (territory claimed by Japan but governed by South Korea) and Kuril Islands (territory claimed by both Japan and Russia) as part of Japan. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the inclusion as "illegal", and accused the Tokyo Organising Committee of "politicising" the Games.[28][29]

Water quality

The sea off the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo Bay, the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic triathlons, has been reported to contain high levels of faecally-derived coliform bacteria.[30][31] On 17 August 2019, the Paratriathlon World Cup scheduled at the venue was cancelled due to a high concentration of E. coli bacteria in the water.[32] In the same year, some triathletes who competed in the world triathlon mixed relay event at the park complained about the water's foul odor, saying that it "smelt like a lavatory".[33] Scientists also urged the Olympic organisers to abandon the venue.[33]

Olympic construction workers' overwork, death, and safety issues

In 2017, the suicide of a Tokyo Olympic stadium worker was recognized as related to overwork.[34] The 23-year-old man in charge of quality control of materials at the stadium construction site was found to have recorded 211 hours and 56 minutes of overtime in one month before he killed himself in March.[34][35] Later in September, Japanese labor officials found illegal overwork in almost 40 companies, 18 of which had employees working overtime of more than 80 hours per month, and several of them exceeding 150 hours.[34] According to the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) report on worker safety, "dangerous patterns of overwork", including cases of working up to 28 consecutive days, have been found at Tokyo Olympic construction sites.[36] Construction workers, many of whom are foreign migrant workers, are reported to have been discouraged from reporting poor working conditions, and some workers are required to purchase their protective equipment.[36]

Heat and air-conditioning concerns

Tokyo 2020 is expected to be the hottest Olympics ever,[37] due to the urban heat island effect and climate change.[38] In October 2019, the International Olympic Committee announced plans for moving the Olympic marathon and race walking to Sapporo, more than 800 kilometres (500 mi) further north from Tokyo, in bid to avoid heat.[39] Tokyo strongly opposed the IOC's decision, suggesting to move the marathon start time up 1 hour to 5:00 a.m.,[40] whilte Sapporo welcomed the IOC announcement.[41]

Concern over indoor temperatures is also raised, since Tokyo's New National Stadium was built without air conditioner for cost reduction.[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tokyo Olympics 2020: French prosecutors probe '$2m payment'". BBC News. 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Tokyo Olympics: Japan to 'fully cooperate' with suspicious payments inquiry". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Life bans for three athletics figures over alleged doping cover-up". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid leader refuses to reveal Black Tidings details". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  5. ^ "IOC concerned at suspect payments made by Tokyo 2020 bid team". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Games: Japan Olympics chief 'investigated in French corruption probe'". 11 January 2019.
  7. ^ Wharton, David. "Embattled head of Japan's Olympic committee resigns ahead of 2020 Summer Games". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Tokyo 2020 unveils official emblem with five years to go". Olympic.org. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  9. ^ "Tokyo 2020 launches emblems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games". IPC. Archived from the original on 27 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Tokyo Olympic Games logo embroiled in plagiarism row". The Guardian. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Tokyo Olympics emblem said to look similar to Belgian theater logo". The Japan Times. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d "Tokyo 2020 Olympics logo scrapped after allegations of plagiarism". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  13. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Emblems Committee relax competition rules ahead of search for new logo". insidethegames.biz. Archived from the original on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Japan unveils final four candidates for Tokyo 2020 Olympics logo". Japan Times. 8 April 2016. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Tokyo Games organizers decide to scrap Sano emblem". NHK World. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Checkered pattern by artist Tokolo chosen as logo for 2020 Tokyo Olympics". Japan Times. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  17. ^ Ryall, Julian (17 March 2017). "Anger as Fukushima to host Olympic events during Tokyo 2020 Games". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  18. ^ Zirin, Dave; Boykoff, Jules (25 July 2019). "Is Fukushima Safe for the Olympics?". The Nation. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  19. ^ "WHO | Health risk assessment from the nuclear accident after the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, based on a preliminary dose estimation". WHO. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  20. ^ "The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster and the Tokyo Olympics | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus". apjjf.org. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Atomic Balm Part 2: The Run For Your Life Tokyo Olympics". Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Atomic Balm Part 2: The Run For Your Life Tokyo Olympics - Nuclear Energy Info". Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  23. ^ Domenici, Pete (June 2000). "Radiation Standards" (PDF). United States General Accounting Office.
  24. ^ a b c Polleri, Maxime (14 March 2019). "The Truth About Radiation in Fukushima". The Diplomat. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  25. ^ Denyer, Simon (August 2019). "Radioactive sushi: Japan-South Korea spat extends to Olympic cuisine". Washington Post.
  26. ^ "Typhoon Hagibis sweeps away bags full of radioactive Fukushima waste as Japan's authorities say nothing to worry about (VIDEOS)". RT. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  27. ^ "IOC Chief Promises to Double Check Tokyo Olympics Radiation Concerns". KBS. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  28. ^ "South Korea complain after disputed territory appears on Tokyo 2020 map". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  29. ^ "Russia accuses Japan of politicising Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  30. ^ Tarrant, Jack (5 October 2018). "Water quality still clouding Olympic swimming venue". Reuters. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  31. ^ Kershaw, Tom (22 October 2018). "Tokyo 2020's worrying water quality a concerning issue that threatens to rain over Olympic parade". The Independent. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  32. ^ "TRIATHLON/ E. coli in water forces Tokyo to cancel swimming at Paratriathlon". The Asahi Shimbun. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  33. ^ a b Parry, Richard Lloyd (6 September 2019). "Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 triathlon swimming course awash with sewage". The Times. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  34. ^ a b c Associated Press (11 October 2017). "Tokyo Olympic stadium worker's death follows 190 hours of overtime in month". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  35. ^ Watanabe, Kazuki (20 July 2017). "五輪・新国立競技場の工事で時間外労働212時間　新卒23歳が失踪、過労自殺". BuzzFeed Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  36. ^ a b "Report: Tokyo Olympics construction workers are being overworked". Free Industrial Safety & Hygiene News. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  37. ^ Branch, John; Rich, Motoko (10 October 2019). "Tokyo Braces for the Hottest Olympics Ever". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  38. ^ Tarrant, Jack (7 August 2019). "Olympic concern as soaring temperatures in Japan kill 57 people". The Independent. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  39. ^ "Tokyo 2020: Olympic marathon and race walks set to move to Sapporo over heat fears". BBC. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  40. ^ "【独自】東京都「スタート時間変更」を提案　五輪マラソンでIOCに". FNN Prime (in Japanese). 21 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  41. ^ "Sapporo mayor welcomes IOC announcement". NHK World. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  42. ^ "【新国立競技場】冷房取りやめ、熱中症は大丈夫？　総工費１５５０億円　当初の観客数６万８０００人". 産経ニュース (in Japanese). 28 August 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
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