The Tokyo Olympics testified of a war won against COVID-19, thanks to the strong humanitarian spirit shown by participating athletes. This victory can inspire the world to fight the pandemic.
By
AGUNG SETYAHADI DAN I GUSTI AB ANGGA PUTRA
·5 minutes read
AFP/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
TOPSHOT - Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on August 8, 2021.
TOKYO, KOMPAS — The Tokyo 2020 Olympics concluded with a modest closing ceremony at the Olympics Stadium on Sunday (8/8/2021). In addition to fighting pessimism, the only Olympics that were staged behind closed doors because of the pandemic shared the hope for better a world through the strong spirit of the collectivity and resilience of participating athletes.
Amid the threat of COVID-19, especially posed by the highly contagious Delta variant, as many as 339 competition from 33 sports took place.
Held under unusual conditions without the fanfare of spectators, requiring the athletes to follow strict health protocols and take routine COVID-19 tests, the Olympics produced 24 new world records.
Starting from July 1, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee (TOCOG) conducted more than 600,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. As many as 404 positive cases were found as of Saturday (7/8). However, the discoveries did not interfere with the competition.
The accomplishment of 24 world records testified the athletes’ battling spirt to keep alive the Olympic motto, which is faster, higher and stronger. A total of 11,091 athletes from 206 countries appeared in the Tokyo Games
You have accepted what seemed unimaginable, understood what had to be done, and through hard work and perseverance, overcome unbelievable challenges.
The concern that COVID-19 might reduce the performance and quality of athletes\' competitiveness was not fully proven.
"You have accepted what seemed unimaginable, understood what had to be done, and through hard work and perseverance, overcome unbelievable challenges. This has made you true Olympians," Tokyo 2020 Olympic president Seiko Hashimoto said at the closing ceremony.
AP PHOTO/JAE C. HONG
Isaiah Jewett, of the United States, and Nijel Amos, right, of Botswana, walk off after falling in the men\'s 800-meter semifinal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo.
The hard work implied, among other things, was demonstrated by United States athletes who pushed a late charge to overtake China at the top of the medal table, thanks to their women\'s team triumph in basketball and volleyball on Sunday. The US collected 39 gold medals compared to China’s 38.
In fact, the US team had been overshadowed by its gymnastic star Simone Biles’ abrupt withdrawal from a number of artistic events she should have been the best gold hopeful for, citing mental health concerns.
Biles resigned due to what was commonly referred to as mental block for some athletes during the pandemic. However, she overcame her fears by appearing and winning a bronze medal in the women\'s beam event.
In a virtual interview with athletes, US President Joe Biden, as reported on CNN, congratulated the team on its achievement, saying that it had shown courage to give the nation jubilation, pride and hope.
The jubilation that Biden was referring to could also be seen from the displayed strong spirit of humanity in Tokyo. Amid the pressing demand for the athletes to go all out for an achievement, US runner Isaiah Jewett showed that a medals was not everything.
Running the final curb in the men’s 800 meters, American Isaiah Jewett was in prime position for a medal when he was inadvertently tripped by Botswana’s Nijel Amos from behind and the two middle-distance runners collapsed on the track.
AFP/ INA FASSBENDER
Joint gold medalists Qatar\'s Mutaz Essa Barshim (R) and Italy\'s Gianmarco Tamberi pose on the podium of the men\'s high jump final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 2, 2021.
Embrace of sportsmanship
Instead of getting annoyed because his hope of winning a medal instantly crumbled, Jewett got up and helped his opponent to his feet. They were caught by the camera embracing each other with Jewett putting his arm around his opponent before the two finished the race.
“I told him, ‘Let’s just finish the race, man,’” Jewett was quoted by USA Today as saying.
He missed the Olympic medal but Jewett gained something more valuable, namely respect and emotional empathy from his opponent for his sportsmanship.
A similar moment was seen in the men\'s high jump final. Two athletes, Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy, shared the gold medal on Sunday (1/8).
I told him, ‘Let’s just finish the race, man
The rare spectacle, similar to an incident that previously occurred way back in London in 1908, unfolded as they repeatedly failed to improve further from their tied best jump of 2.37 meters at the Olympic Stadium.
Having enough of the struggle they put in during the final contest, Barshim asked the committee if the gold medal could be shared. Being consented, they embraced each other jubilantly.
Barshim said they had been through physical and mental challenges and hailed it as an incredible moment with them appreciating each other’s efforts.
Different traits proved to be no barriers in a struggle to achieve the dream as Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu of religions faith, ethnicity and gaping ages worked together to win the badminton women\'s doubles final match for Indonesia’s only gold in Tokyo 2020.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach appreciated the athletes for their contribution, saying that in a difficult time, they had given the world hope. IGA)
