Tokyo 2020: Ipsos poll finds 78 per cent of Japanese against Olympics happening, with South Koreans even more opposed
- Globally, 57 per cent are against Tokyo 2020 going ahead though 62 per cent agree it is important chance for world to come together
- Interest levels of 28 markets surveyed show India, South Africa and China the most looking forward to Games
Their “Attitudes to the Olympics” global survey polled 19,510 adults in 28 countries, asking them a number of questions on the Games, which begin on July 23 after a 12-month delay.
Only South Koreans want to see the Games happen less than the Japanese, according to the poll, with 86 per cent against them going ahead, compared to 78 per cent in the host country.
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Despite that, 62 per cent agreed that “the Tokyo Olympic Games will be an important opportunity for the world to come together following the pandemic”.
The poll was conducted online on their Global Adviser platform with interviews conducted between May 21 and June 4.
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It gauged the interest levels of the 28 markets surveyed with India, South Africa and China the most looking forward to the Games.
Some 70 per cent of Indians are interested in the Games, followed by 59 per cent of South Africans and 57 per cent of Chinese polled.
Belgium, South Korea and hosts Japan are the three countries least interested in the Games, the poll said. Only 28 per cent of Belgians are interested, ahead of 30 per cent of South Koreans and 32 per cent of Japanese.
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Perhaps surprisingly, the poll found that football is the most popular sport at the Olympics, when respondents were asked to pick the three that they were most interested in following.
Football’s global average of 30 per cent beat out track and field (27 per cent) and aquatics (22 per cent), with gymnastics a close fourth on 21 per cent.
New addition sport climbing was of the least interest with only 2 per cent keen to follow it based on the global average. Golf, rugby sevens and surfing, along with the other new additions of skateboarding and surfing, gained 3 per cent interest globally.
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Elsewhere, respondents were asked about the impact of the Olympics on society.
Some 80 per cent globally agreed that “The Olympics inspire tomorrow’s generation to participate in sport”, with China and Turkey agreeing most on 92 per cent.
Similarly, China led the way for agreeing that “Government funding should be used to support my country’s athletes at the Olympics” on 87 per cent, well ahead of the global average of 67 per cent.
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Again, China led in agreeing that “The Olympics bring my country together” on 92 per cent, with the global average 65 per cent. India followed China on 84 per cent.
Chinese respondents were also the most in agreement that “Olympic athletes should be given priority vaccinations” on 92 per cent, well ahead of the global average of 71 per cent.
