Japan and much of the rest of the world is still dealing with the virus, which is now in its more contagious phase as the Delta Variant, leaving people to question why the Olympics are being held at all. The reason, of course, is money. The International Olympic Committee is willing to put up with empty venues, sick athletes, angry locals and government officials to realize the payday they're going to get from media companies like NBC and corporations like Coca Cola, no matter how much pushback they get
Already, several athletes have been taken off their teams' rosters due to getting sick, or declining to come in the first place because they might get sick.
Others are not in Tokyo because the drug enforcement agencies are cracking down on those who prefer a little stimulation to their performance. Some are legitimate cases such as the Russian team accused of alleged doping. Others are rather questionable, as in the case of Sha'Carri Richardson, the U.S. sprinter who was caught smoking marijuana during a tough time in her life. Apparently, it doesn't matter if MJ is now considered legal in half of America, it is still a performance-enhancing drug to the rest of the world that had best be avoided.
In show business parlance, no matter what kind of calamity might hit a performance, it is said that the show must go on. Well, that's been sorely tested in the past year and a half, hasn't it? Even Broadway has been shut down, not to return until fall. In its current state, the Olympics in Tokyo is a slow-moving disaster about to unfold on the world's TV and video screens. It should not be held, even at this late date.
But the IOC, which has survived wars and dictatorships, thinks it can survive a pandemic no matter what the cost. So let the Games begin, and hope everyone stays healthy.
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