Tokyo Olympics: Japanese cities left in limbo over ‘host town’ deals as coronavirus concerns persist

Hong Kong’s fencing team and swimming team planned to stay in Yonezawa and Yamatokoriyama respectively but those plans have been cancelled

The uncertainty surrounding the hosting arrangements coincides with a surge in coronavirus cases across Japan and in Tokyo specifically

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Japanese protesters outside Heiwadai Athletic Stadium in Fukuoka, reflecting concerns about the coronavirus before the Olympic Games. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 8:00pm, 13 May 2021Updated: 10:22pm, 13 May 2021

Japanese communities planning to welcome athletes from around the world – including Hong Kong – before the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics remain unsure whether the “host town” programme will proceed due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Across Japan, 528 towns agreed to host athletes from 184 countries and regions before the Olympics, scheduled to begin on July 23, and the Paralympics, which start on August 24.

Yonezawa, about 200km north of Tokyo, was due to host the Hong Kong fencing team. The city had planned for 15 athletes, their trainers and support staff to arrive in late July before taking part in a range of cultural and sporting activities with residents. Those included fencing exhibition matches with schoolchildren as well as festivals and sightseeing. Those plans have been cancelled and local officials are waiting to hear whether the athletes will visit at all.

“It’s a really difficult situation and we are still not sure what is going to happen,” said Tyler Burton, a US national working as an international coordinator for the town. “We have been making plans for a long time and we’re continuing with those plans as best we can, but it’s touch and go if the team can come because of the virus.”

Zheng Zhaokang, the fencing team’s head coach, confirmed the plans were changed due to concerns about the coronavirus. The team now plans to remain in Hong Kong for training before travelling to Japan immediately before the start of the Games.

“People in the town have been really looking forward to this for a long time and they are very disappointed,” Burton said. “I know quite a few people who have been studying English and Chinese so they would be able to speak to the athletes and make them feel more comfortable and at home, but it looks very much as if that is not going to happen now.”