Optimist, Open Skiff, Youth & Olympic Sailing Blog

by Jean-Pierre Kiekens, Oxford educated development economist, former lecturer at the University of Brussels, and sailor. This is just a short piece to express a very straightforward viewpoint, a viewpoint of reason.  There shouldn’t be any Olympics before it is safe, and it will not be safe before we have a vaccine. While the coronavirus pandemic is growing, stock exchanges are plunging, many governments are taking draconian measures to deal with the pandemic, there is kind of a surreal approach when it comes to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. « The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive. » stated the International Olympic Committee (IOC) just 2 days ago, on March 17. « The IOC encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as best they c...

Suggestion to the organizers: cancel NOW! March 17 Update : contrary to initial reports that the event was interrupted after a day, the sailing went on, with races on March 15, 16 and 17. See results here . When announcing that the Oceania & Australian Laser Masters Championships were maintained, from March 14 to 18 in Geelong, Victoria, AUS, organizers sought to reassure sailors by stating that: « With 165 competitors entered, the event falls within the guidelines announced by the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison. Mr Morrison advised that any nonessential gatherings of 500 or more people would be banned from next Monday, March 16 as a precautionary measure. » https://www.auslasernationals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Oceania-and-Australian-Laser-Masters-Championship-to-go-ahead.pdf In addition, the organizers of this event provided guidance to sailors regarding COVID-19. https://www.auslasernationals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID...