What happened?
On 1 August, it will be the tenth day of the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The games were inaugurated by Japan's Emperor Naruhito with the theme of "Moving forward" to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach quoted "We can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger if we stand together – in solidarity. This is why, the IOC has adopted the Olympic motto to our times: faster, higher, stronger – together. This feeling of togetherness – this is the light at the end of the dark tunnel."

What is the background?
First, a brief background to the Olympic games in Tokyo. This would be the 120th Olympic games. It is the fourth time Japan is hosting the Olympics. With 11,000 athletes from 206 nations across the world where 49 per cent are women, the IOC hereby marks the first "gender-balanced" games in its history. The 2020 games view the introduction of new disciplines like 3x3 basketball, freestyle BMX, surfing, skateboarding, mixed-gender events in existing sports, and many more.

Second, the intense political determination. The Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's vision was to contain the virus outbreak, host a successful Games and call a general election. That has been subdued after the recent surge in Tokyo turning the games into a damaging scandal. This determination is the underlying political agenda for Suga to survive as party leader as the general elections are coming up in October. Furthermore, Japan's vaccine rollout has substantially lagged considering other developed nations. This has led to a greater public dissatisfaction pressurizing Suga ahead of the elections.

Third, the divided opinions and the controversies. There has been strong public opposition against the games because of the spike it may cause in the Covid-19 cases.  In a survey released in May, 83 per cent of the people did not want Japan to conduct the Olympics. The Japanese doctors union were highly against conducting the games and backed out from offering medical support. Therefore, the IOC stepped up to offer medical help for the Olympics. It also downplayed the opposition in Japan and went ahead with the international support it could garner. Covid-19 being the giant elephant in the room, anti-Olympic protests are widely increasing as new coronavirus cases broke the country's records. The protesters gathered near the stadium holding banners reading "Cancel the Olympics! Save lives!" and "No Olympics". This Olympics has been shadowed by controversies starting with the logo plagiarism to athletes testing positive with Covid-19, the first-ever transgender weightlifter from New Zealand, the long spectre of doping tests, and the unprecedented heatwave in Tokyo.

Fourth, the economic riddle. In March 2021, the organizers decided to ban foreign spectators, thus diminishing any revenue from the Olympics as overseas visitors tend to spend more than domestic spectators. The economic losses from cancelling the Games are estimated to be less than the losses from a single state emergency. Japan has by far had four emergency situations during the pandemic. On the other hand, the IOC has seemingly cornered Japan and will accordingly make a full income from its broadcast rights and direct sponsors.

What does it mean?
Every Olympic Games has produced a festive story. Even though the Tokyo Olympic games have been mired in controversy, it is meant to revitalize the public spirit during the pandemic. It allows talents across the world to a single platform. Also, the Games are exceptional occasions for diplomacy, wherein Japan will weather the controversies and deliver a 'safe and secure' Olympics amidst the pandemic.