In Japan, the number of corona 19 confirmed cases per day has surpassed 2,000 for three consecutive days. As a result, even the Olympic torch, which symbolizes harmony, is not being welcomed. Immediately, Osaka said it would not receive the torch. Here, criticism is pouring out for violating the spirit of the Olympics for some of the torch relay routes designated as the’Golden Girl’ section.
This is Moon Sang-hyuk reporter.
[기자]
On the first day when the fire was lit, even though the torch, which was confident that the typhoon could not be turned off, was temporarily turned off, the torch at the Tokyo Olympics is somehow being transferred by boat, bicycle, or wheelchair.
[토마스 바흐/IOC 위원장 (현지시간 3월 30일) : 도쿄올림픽과 함께 코로나19 터널 끝의 불빛을 볼 것 같습니다.]
Although the chairman of the International Olympic Committee was confident in this way, the torch relay, the beginning of the Olympics, is controversial everywhere.
The torch that departed from Fukushima passed through Nagano and is now heading for Gifu, but may pause on the 13th.
[요시무라 히로후미/오사카부 지사 : 오사카부의 성화봉송은 중단돼야 한다고 생각합니다.]
In the Osaka area yesterday (1st), only 616 confirmed cases per day became a priority action area equivalent to an emergency for a month from today, and in the meantime, the torch passing through Osaka was requested to be stopped.
Marukawa Olympics Minister also said that he once agreed to Osaka’s demands, and the possibility of starting again from Tokushima, the next area after the torch relay stopped for two days, increased.
In Ehime Prefecture, where the torch passes four days later, the course of moving the torch by boat was set as the’Golden Girl’ section according to the tradition.
The organizers explained that tradition often conflicts with current common sense, but as criticism poured out that it would harm the Olympic spirit of harmony, women could also get on the boat.
The torch relay, which started after lighting the lights in Athens early last year, lasted for a year, and the rest of the three-month journey to Tokyo is breathtaking.
(Video Design: Kang Aram)