The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday will start in the shadow of the pandemic, which prompted the postponement of this sporting event, created problems with the races in front of it, and is expected to keep spectators away from the stands, and even hinder some athletes compete.
To casual observers in the United States, enthusiasm seems hard to find before the Olympics.
“We have hardly heard much about this activity“Kevin Watson, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, told VOA. “There are fewer interviews with athletes or TV commercials for sports“.
Even before the pandemic, interest in the Summer Olympics was declining.
Data collected by the New York-based Zeta Global website show that 60% of Americans were not interested or excited about the Tokyo Games. And even about 45% did not expect them at all.
Lack of spectators
According to the website “Zeta Global” among the reasons for this lack of interest were the postponement of last year’s games, the decrease in the desire to sit in front of the TV after a year of blocking and the prohibition of spectators to follow this sporting event closely .
“Since there will be no spectators to watch, cheer and shout from the stands, this makes the event boringSays Alex Willman from Carlsbad, California, in an interview with VOA. “The most beautiful thing about any sporting event with a large audience is to see their reaction to the result“, He adds.
Eliot Greenwald says he has not paid much attention to the sports activities that precede the Olympics. The sailor from Bethesta, Maryland, says that maybe their interest will ignite with their start, especially for water sports, such as sailing and diving.
In a situation where some of the athletes have tested positive for coronavirus, some think the Tokyo Games should be postponed again.
“I love the Olympics, but I do not think they should take place now“Barry Hunter, a boxing coach at Headbangers Gym in Washington, D.C., told VOA. He adds that because of the pandemic, “not every ordinary American is as excited about them as they normally would be.”
“They seem less important when a worldwide pandemic occursSays Louise Korver, who lives in Huntersville, North Carolina.
But for Jeff Shell, chief executive of NBC Universal, the leading American television network that will broadcast most of the Olympics, this is the right time for this event to start.
NBC will broadcast 7,000 hours of coverage on its numerous television networks. Mr. Shell said during a virtual conference this week that the Tokyo Games could be the most lucrative activity in NBC history.
Thirst among some fans
Lack of enthusiasm is by no means something general. Some Americans can’t wait to watch their favorite sports.
Luisa Handem Piette from Londonderry, New Hampshire, says she will be among those who will sit next to the TV watching the Olympics. “The American public will be much larger than expected,” she said in a telephone interview with VOA.
Bob Mandau from Chesterland, Ohio, says he welcomes the Olympics, seeing it as a much-needed break from the negative politics that airs on television.
Rick Kinney of Wellesley, Massachusetts, meanwhile, says Americans like him will watch the Olympics because “people like stories that make you feel like they’re about athletes trying to get there.”
Sam Doering is part of the swimming team at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. She will attend the competitions where the American Katie Ledecky participates, one of the best swimmers in the world and favorite for medals.
“I think it will be fantastic to see Ledecky and I hope other American swimmers do well in swimming competitions“, She said.
“Listening to the national anthem after they have won medals is really something interesting“, She says.
Of all the sports disciplines, women’s gymnastics is predicted to be the most pursued by Americans. Zeta Global predicts that 33% of people interested in the Olympics will focus on the sport.
Ashley Umberger, owner and head coach at the North Stars Gymnastics Academy in Boonton, New Jersey, says the American women’s team “should be the one to follow.” Americans say she will focus on seeing Simone Biles, the top gymnast “who is achieving great things”.