Naomi Osaka has been wondering whether it is smart to go ahead with the Tokyo Olympics because of the rising COVID-19 numbers in the Japanese capital.
Talking to the press at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, the world No.2 Osaka pointed out that she’s been vaccinated and is obviously looking forward to her Olympic debut, but is not sure whether it is appropriate to stage the event amid the pandemic.
I’m an athlete, and of course my immediate thought is that I want to play in the Olympics. But as a human, I would say we’re in a pandemic, and if people aren’t healthy, and if they’re not feeling safe, then it’s definitely a really big cause for concern.
Postponed from 2020, the Tokyo Olympics are ten weeks away, scheduled to begin on July 23. There will be no international fans at the Games this year. Whether local fans will be able to attend will be decided in June. (source: BBC, Jimmie48)