MY TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS EXPERIENCE
To finally work in Japan was already proof of a miracle. But to witness the Olympics is an honor.
I strived hard and did my best to stay longer in Japan. Year after year, I endured, and my working visa got extended.
In 2018, the application for the Olympics volunteers began, and I applied. I waited for months for the result of my application screening. Unfortunately, I was not qualified. The application was strict regarding skills and your contribution to the event.
I felt sad but not disheartened.
I still have another plan: to teach English to as many students as possible.
And in the early months of 2020, the pandemic happened. It affected Japan as a whole, the business, hope, and preparation for the Olympics.
People felt dismayed and pleaded to extend it next year. And, so was agreed to have it on the following year.
Also, Japan had only limited time left to acclimate to the situation. During the time given, they mainly focus on the cleanliness, the health of the nation, and the Olympic participants.
That was an extra expense and work for Japan.
However, the pandemic stayed longer than expected, and more residents in Japan felt troubled about putting the nation in danger. Comments and reactions like to move it to 2022.
But, the decision is final. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will happen in July 2021.
There was more negative feedback on the decision. Some people can no longer see the bright side, which is understandable. Everyone wants to boost Japan’s economy and, most importantly, not lose more lives.
But we never know when this will end. All we can do is move forward and do what is best and what we can contribute.
My contribution? As a resident of this country, I forced myself to appreciate the good side of the Olympics.
Here they are.
1. The Olympic Village:
- The cardboard beds are recyclable.
- Fitness Center - to do their daily workout.
- Sauna- to relax their worked body.
- Medical clinic- for their body or health concerns.
- The 24-hour Main Dining Hall, with an accessible app informing them of the less congested area and where they can eat.
- It is a 44-hectare area. It is enough for the athletes to stay, strongly encouraged by the government and the IOC.
2. State of Emergency:
The government urged everyone to stay at home to avoid increasing Covid-19 patients.
3. They continued to use the TOKYO 2020 logo at the event. It has saved Japan at their expense.
Instead, they focus more on controlling and preventing the spread of the virus during the period.
4. The medals and uniform:
The medals are from no-longer-used and outdated mobile phones from the residents.
The white t-shirts and pants of the torchbearers are from recycled plastic bottles collected by Coca-Cola.
5. Athletes:
The pressure on the athletes will lessen. Waiting longer or extending the Olympics somehow leads to unexplainable anxiety.
6. LIVE streaming access:
TV networks or national television streams the games for free.
All you need is Wi-Fi, a preferred device to watch and stay at home.
I came up with three realizations:
1. Japan is not at a loss.
They may not have foreign spectators to raise the nation’s economy, but the medals speak for themselves. They got more gold medals.
2. The Tokyo Olympics taught me these values:
a. Bravery
To take risks comes with preparation and seeing foreseeable problems.
Well-thought achievable plans after plans, and lastly, the courage to put them into action.
b. Be prepared.
Never go to a battle without preparation. You won’t survive.
c. Teamwork and communication:
The volunteers, media, staff, officials, and athletes communicate their needs and meet each other halfway.
d. Discipline
Wearing masks, washing and disinfecting hands, maintaining social distance, doing a daily health checklist, and not engaging in face-to-face communication as much as possible. No handshakes or high-fives, ventilating rooms, checking body temperature, and screening tests are just some strict rules to keep everyone healthy.
e. Consistency
To do those mentioned above, you need to remember them by heart.
3. This Olympics is for the athletes.
They are more than for our entertainment. I think this time, the athletes are solely rooting for themselves. They focus on their goals and rely on their strength.
My Conclusion:
During these two weeks, I never missed a day watching any sports I could have the chance to watch. I also cheered for the Philippines. That is another contribution of mine. Our country got medals, and I am proud to be A FILIPINO.
I watched TV about 31 sports in the Olympics, such as athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, BMX, boxing, fencing, decathlon, diving, golf, gymnastics, javelin throw, judo, karate, long jump, and marathon. In addition, I watched volleyball, sailing, skateboarding, softball, sprint, surfing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Furthermore, I watched them all with excitement, nervousness, sadness, and happiness.
Today is the last day of the Tokyo Olympics.
Recalling all that happened led me to understand that we are all ATHLETES in our daily lives.
And for us to survive, we all need passion, determination, trust, and hope.
Passion to chase your goals.
Be determined to face any form of obstacle.
Trust yourself and hope that everything around you will go well.
And if not, believe it not as a failure but as an experience and chance to be better.
Overall, Japan did great at this event.
We know no country is perfect, but in my opinion, they never failed to care and proved that Japan is indeed a country of safety and cleanliness.
I consider the Tokyo 2020 Olympics one of my best life memories.
I hope you enjoyed the Olympics as much as I did.
Do well and survive, co-athlete!
Photo Credit：
https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/news/photos/galleries/in-pictures-opening-ceremony-olympic-games-tokyo-2020