Starting this thread to commemorate this day. The 32nd Olympics was slated to be held on the 24th of July.
https://youtu.be/ssc5eLjLoMQ?t=6477
364 days to go...
https://i.imgur.com/dJBBJOS.png
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Starting this thread to commemorate this day. The 32nd Olympics was slated to be held on the 24th of July.
https://youtu.be/ssc5eLjLoMQ?t=6477
364 days to go...
https://i.imgur.com/dJBBJOS.png
LOL I'll keep you posted from Tokyo :-)
It appears the JOC counts the opening day as well in their counter.
https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/tokyo-...mes-in-numbers
https://i.imgur.com/zT2CEsE.jpg
Video after the jump.
https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/harimo...ature-backhand
Quote:
HARIMOTO Tomokazu: No regrets if I can compete with my signature backhand
21 Jul 2020
...
“My opponents had gradually become used to my fast-paced style of play and worked out tactics to defeat me, but I didn’t change, which resulted in frequent losses,” he reflected.
He was suddenly confronted with not being able to win, which pushed him to the verge of losing self-confidence in his own playing style.
“I need more than my backhand to win,” he realised.
He started working on his forehand to transform his playing style, to avoid becoming over dependent on his backhand.
“I tried to work on my lower body, increase training of my footwork and legs, and focus on maintaining a good form to reduce errors,” he remarked.
Harimoto, who is already a ‘practice addict’, trained even harder to strengthen his forehands. As a result, the speed and strength of his forehand shots, which had been somewhat weaker than his backhands, began to improve.
...
“The year 2019 was tough for me because I couldn’t regain the momentum that I had enjoyed in 2018. I feel relieved to have been selected for the Olympic Games, because it has been my childhood dream,” Harimoto said, adding that his family also rejoiced and congratulated him.
When he thought about Tokyo 2020, he came up with a notion that had been at the back of his mind — to capitalise and fight with his signature backhand!
“Most of all, it was my backhand that carried me through to the Olympic Games. Whether I win or lose, I will have no regrets if I can fight with my backhand. I’d be satisfied if I could be on the offense by harnessing my fast backhand shots, like before,” he said.
I'm keen to hear what the word and feeling is from Tokyo residents.Quote:
Originally Posted by Takkyu_wa_inochi
What's the word? Do Tokyo locals want the games in 12 months or prefer to have it further postponed or cancelled?
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...ympics-survey/Quote:
Originally Posted by MaLin2.0
Takkyu is Tokyo local, sorta wana see what the general feel is from him and others his interacts within Tokyo, not what media reports, but not surprised if feeling matches.Quote:
Originally Posted by mart1nandersson
The way things are right now, honestly cannot see right now how any city on the globe would want say 20,000 people from around globe entering causing increased spikes.
I know lot of mention of games happening on basis of vaccine being available however again who can look 12 months ahead and see if things are the same or worse of if vaccine is proven success.
PROFIT SEEKER, Mr.DAINTON TO BURY the SPORT DEEPGRAVE.
Stive Dainton, the Ittf Ceo, he kills sport of table tennis. So ashamed dreamer of Dainton, the profit seeker producing destructive ideas.
What has Steve Dainton done or proposed?Quote:
Originally Posted by igorponger
This, perhaps?
https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/w...ty-investment/
Quote:
World Table Tennis, the new commercial arm of the International Table Tennis Federation, is continuing conversations with a view to selling further shares to private equity investors.
Private equity investment already secured from China has allowed WTT, which was launched as part of the Singapore-based ITTF’s restructure of its commercial operations from 2021 onwards, to establish itself and begin to roll out its plans.
WTT is now looking to continue negotiations around additional private equity investment, as senior commercial strategy consultant Philippe Le Floc’h, the former chief commercial officer at Fifa and marketing director at Uefa, told SportBusiness.
...
WTT director Matt Pound added: “If WTT thinks it needs more equity to supercharge anything in our business then we can go out and do that and find new partners. In all the contracts and deals we’ve been signing with all our partners, WTT is at the centre of all the decision making so we still have that power in our hands to really dictate the direction of where the company goes.”
...
Le Floc’h, the former chief commercial officer at Fifa and marketing director at Uefa continued: “We don’t have all the baggage of the old-style packages so we can start fresh and be agile, addressing the requests of the potential partners. The drawback is that this is a new product and people like to see it. We’ll try to have a test event in Macau in October/November to be able to show the world what it looks like.”
...
Offering up his first impressions of the ITTF project when he held initial talks with Pound and Steve Dainton (the ITTF chief executive and WTT director), the Malaysia-based Le Floc’h said: “I thought – if I had a blank sheet of paper for any federation, then you’re doing exactly the right thing – creating a bespoke entity which is fully autonomous from the governing body and housing all the commercial rights in it. And you’re opening the shareholding up to some equity [investment] which allows you not to have to request mothership money and you can finance your needs.”
“Credit to the ITTF to allow this to happen because there are not many sports governing bodies who would have the courage to let it happen.”
I think have to wait and see. From what been reading looks like they want the sport to grow and expamd through sponsorship more media rights ect. End of the day these people are business men and imo doing their duties.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
Given current situation with coronavirus and limited funds coming in they do need secure sponsorships and other lifelines to keep things at least a drift. When we are clear with this pandemic, who knows when, I'm sure will be alot of businesses and sports that will be in a complete hole that will take a while to get back on feet. I'm sure ITTF & Dainton and others exploring options to have minimal impacts at the end of this and return to business as usual and still expand once this is over.
Its a new world right now and we need adapt to new way of thinking.
JTTA announced on 27th that only the singles events(MS, WS, JB, JG) will proceed for the All-Japan Championships 2021. In addition, the association will decide if the Championships will get the green light by August 11.
http://www.jtta.or.jp/Portals/0/imag...japan_news.pdf
https://world-tt.com/ps_info/ps_repo...cdno=3333#3333
Her Majesty, the Queen of Table Tennis. July 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxIa4rsfJtI
Another blow to Tokyo Olympics.
It's reported Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, is set to announce his resignation over health concerns. Official press conference at 17:00 local time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG0Isoo6xUI
Article has Japan taking aggressive push to get Olympics going.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the...9-vaccine.html
Appears power to be in Japan want this to go ahead. Whats rumours you heard?
LIVE: Japan's PM Shinzo Abe holds news conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBmjN3TbcxI
Rumors have it that the reason behind Abe's resignation has to do with the "cancellation theory."Quote:
Originally Posted by MaLin2.0
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/n...00107000c.html
"There are rumors that the Prime Minister heard that the Olympic Games will be extremely difficult next year, starting in August," a LDP official said. With the long-awaited Olympics being held far away, there is widespread speculation that there was no energy to fulfill the remaining term while fighting the illness.Quote:
自民党関係者によると「8月に入り、首相が来年の五輪開催が極めて厳しくなったと聞いたとの噂がある」という。悲願の五輪開催が遠のき、闘病しながら残り任期を全うする気力がなくなったとの臆測が広がっている。
He wanted so badly to be Mario again
RUSSIA ON GUARD OF OLYMPIAN'S WELBEING.
https://radio1.news/files/image/08/98/38/-lg!01zm.jpg
Russia to supply the ENEZ LAB to Tokyo Olympics 2021. The testing system able to reveal virus presence inside sporting venue within a few seconds.
Looks like a load of garbage to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by igorponger
The way it's being handled has been awful, clearly Tokyo residents are against it and message being delivered is still pushing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
Number 1 priority should be helping people impacted financially, allocating money and support to research and hospitals but I bet big money still being used for Olympics which is wrong given the climax of what we are all living in. Abe should resign on those terms alone and those also part of it too. Clearly public interests not #1.
Japan and IOC should have just negotiated to push out Olympics to 2024 and Paris games to 2028. World War I & 2 postponed world cups, Olympics games due to global impacting events, this is no different. Travel and other industries crippled and I don't think 1 year is sufficient to get confidence back in peole travelling abroad. Possible in being harsh in saying this as possible attempt possibly being made too push games out and that might not be logical due to contracts, sponsorships, cancellation fees etc but they should least be open with it if that's the case.
Some news from Kenta
https://youtu.be/DCeiWZcv09o
Roughly a week before Abe's resignation, Tokyo Shoko Research released a poll conducted with over 12,800 corporations between 7/28-8/11.
Only 22.5% think Tokyo 2020 will be held as planned, 27.8% think it should be canceled, 25.8% think it should be postponed again, 5.3% think it should be held without spectators, and 18.4% think it should be held with spectators with social distancing.
On how much their corporations will be affected, 85.2% answered that "there are many adverse effects."
When asked about the expected impact (multiple answers allowed), about 70% of the respondents were "worried about the impact on their business partners." Tokyo Shoko Research points out that "there are two issues: the risk of spread of infection and the impact on business operations, and companies are stuck between them."
https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/a...1/news088.html
https://image.itmedia.co.jp/business...lykigyou02.jpg
https://image.itmedia.co.jp/business...lykigyou03.jpg
https://image.itmedia.co.jp/business...lykigyou04.jpg
https://www.olympic.org/news/over-60...-events-resume
https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-spo...s-cancelled-orQuote:
With six months to go to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, athletes are back on stage. Over the last few weeks, international events have been organised in 25 Olympic sports, while 10 International Federations have restarted Olympic qualifications.As a result:
- 61 per cent of the athlete quota places have already been allocated;
- 25 per cent will be assigned during the remaining qualification period, which will run until 29 June;
- the final 14 per cent of athletes will be selected through rankings as per the respective qualification system for each sport.
Quote:
Tokyo 2020: More than half of Japanese firms want the Olympics cancelled or postponed, survey says
- Poll shows 56 per cent of firms want Games to be cancelled or postponed and 7.7 per cent say they should proceed in full form as scheduled
- More than 70 per cent say cancelling or postponing Games won’t affect their earnings as further doubt is cast over the fate of the Tokyo Olympics
so will the games actually happen?
hear it will be postponed again...
i think not
just purely and simply cancelled
Japan: At this point, I don't care. 😇
https://www.ittf.com/2021/03/02/nine...on-tournament/
https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121480/5290883
包含地主在內！日英德等5國民調 反對今年辦東京奧運
https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99...9B%86%E8%A8%93
東京奧運｜日本人也不支持奧運 島根縣霸氣拒絕金牌勁旅集訓
https://www.likejapan.com/life/tokyo...c-torchbearer/
東京奧運情勢走向負面：日本藝人陸續退出聖火傳遞火炬手風潮
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
What do you think the chances are? Think these qualifyer events are meaningless?
Sensitive issue.
They're going to hold it no matter the cost.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-olympics-push
https://www.hk01.com/%E5%9C%8B%E9%9A...B9%8B%E6%86%82
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
Yeah think they are exploring holding it now without overseas spectators allowed into Japan. Need see how things progress and what decisions are made in the next few months. Hopefully situation globally improves that safe event can be held but expect won't he last minute decision. Tourists usually generate heaps of money through tickets merch sales, hotels staying etc not sure if would be worth holding now if tourists not allowed in.
I'm in Australia and Tennis generated big loss with shut down, limited people allowed into the grounds, keeping athletes under quarantine, no tourists allowed in etc and you would expect Australian Open being only a fraction in sales in comparison to the Olympics so can imagine the stress for the powers to be.
Despite the low domestic support, some in Japan still want to see their athletes get gold medals.
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/y...02-OYT1T50228/
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/y...02-OYT1T50228/Quote:
読売新聞社が実施した全国世論調査（郵送方式）では、コロナ禍で１年延期された東京五輪・パラリンピックの開催について、感染拡大のリスクから不安を感じる意見が多く、開催する場合の観客数は「最小限」や「無観客」が望ましいとする人が多数に上った。そうした中でも、日本人選手の活躍を願う声は多く、柔道や競泳、卓球、バドミントンなどでメダル獲得の期待が高まっている。（世論調査部 福田昌史）
https://i.imgur.com/SLxg39O.jpg
Tokyo 2020 Gold Medal Hopeful Athletes and Teams
1 MOMOTA Kento /Badminton 249 votes
2 UCHIMURA Kohei/Gymnastics 93 votes
3 Baseball(Samurai Japan) 82 votes
4 ITO mima /Table tennis 64 votes
5 ABE Hifumi /Judo 63 votes
6 ABE Uta /Judo 54 votes
7 OSAKA Naomi /Tennis 50 votes
8 ISHIKAWA Kasumi /Table tennis 49 votes
9 Softball 33
10 IKEE Rikako /Swimming 26
11 SETO Daiya /Swimming 25 [TL's note: I'm so horny!]
12 HAGINO Kosuke /Swimming 24
13 ONO Shohei /Judo 20
14 NISHIKORI Kei /Tennis 16
15 HARIMOTO Tomokazu /Table Tennis 15
16 SHIBUNO Hinako /Golf 14
17 OKUHARA Nozomi /Badminton 13
17 Athletics * Men's 400m relay 13
* 3 choices
https://i.imgur.com/IoWxyKG.jpg
Medal Hopeful Olympic Sports and Events(Multiple choice. Top 10)
Men
1 Judo 60%
2 Swimming 56%
3 Gymnastics 52%
4 Badminton 45%
5 Table tennis 42%
6 Baseball 35%
7 Athletics 28
8 Wrestling 23
9 Karate 20
10 Tennis 15
Women
1 Judo 49%
2 Table tennis 46%
3 Swimming 40%
4 Badminton 38%
5 Softball 30%
6 Wrestling 28%
7 Gymnastics 21
8 Rhythmic gymnastics 20
9 Artistic swimming 18
10 Athletics 16
https://i.imgur.com/6fz82Ss.jpg
Likeable Athletes
1 (1) HANYU Yuzuru /Figure Skating 134 votes
2 (5) NISHIKORI Kei /Tennis 67
3 (4) OSAKA Naomi /Tennis 63
3 (7) SAKAMOTO Hayato /Baseball Giants 63
5 (6) MOMOTA Kento /Badminton 52
6 (8) ICHIRO /Baseball 50
7 (2) OHTANI Shohei /Baseball Los Angeles Angels 49
8 (25) ISHIKAWA kasumi /Table tennis 47
9 (43) RIKEE Rikako /Swimming 46
10 (14) INOUE Naoya /Boxing 42
10 (21) UCHIMURA Kohei /Gymnastics 42
* 3 choices. Last year's ranking in parenthesis
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
I think Team Events will go to China, think both Ladies and Men's will get it done, tough task any team taking 3 games off each.
Mixed Doubled honestly up in the air
Do you think Mima/Kasumi & Harimoto can pressure Chinese team and win Gold? Think Japan playing at home can be an advantage
The only event any team, not just Japan, has a shot at the gold medal is the XD. All of them know it. Mizutani and Ito have spoken about it the most on TV.
The odds for the WS, though still low, were better had Tokyo 2020 been held last year. OTOH, the odds are better for the MS now, judging from Men's World Cup 2020 and the WTT Contender Doha 2021. All-Japan 2021 was a joke when seeded players were forced to play 3 singles matches on the opening day.
The WT has no chance without Hayata(still low with her). Ishikawa/Hirano just doesn't work. Having Ito play 2 singles in every match is just insane when she has to compete in all 3 events. The MT has no chance no matter how. Mizutani and Niwa playing doubles is comical. Imagine Harimoto playing doubles? Cruelty of competitive sport and fairness in the selection system don't *bleep* mix.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
XD I agree totally open, inaugural event and feel major priority for most serious teams is Team & Singles. Possible lower ranked teams who devote extra time training might do well. China however regardless go into most competitions favourite.
WS feel under new format if Mima can get 2nd seed and if 2 Chinese paired on same section of the draw, really does open up for her. If can get to Gold Medal match under the new format has a chance. MS Harimoto deeper he goes into tournament more confident will get so a chance.
Team events W I feel CNT win & Japan ladies silver
Men's Team CNT win and very open silver and bronze
i'll still smoke the hopium and support Harimoto, Ito and JNT in all events
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
Thoughts on Ishikawa/Hirano doubles combo now? They have won few titles together now. Japanese ladies have good core. Mima for 2 singles games, doubles with Kasumi & Hirano. Hirano the weakest of the 3 but she is better than most teams 3rd best player in singles. That's why believe Japanese ladies will reach the Gold Medal match.
Feel sorry for Chen Szu-yu & Cheng Hsien-Tzu, good pair, played in few finals but not been able to get the title they deserve. Still relitively consistent. Chinese Taipei ladies similar game plan have CIC play 2 singles and these other 2 ladies in doubles. Most teams will work but in later rounds will need be very sharp as singles abilities not reliable enough unlike Japanese ladies.
IIRC, the pair has won only 1 Open title before this. The other teams have not sent their strongest pairs as well, namely South Korea, sending Jeon/Yang over Jeon/Shin or Choi/Shin. Also, the way they eased up against Yuan/Loeuillette after a big lead is concerning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQptBspRWUI
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeio
Mima had her hands full against Hina, good game Japanese team would be happy with