Florida offers to host Tokyo Olympics: Details here
Florida's Chief Financial Officer, on Monday, told the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the state would be happy to host the Olympics Games if Japan decide to back out. In a letter addressed to the IOC head, Thomas Bach, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis urged him to relocate the Olympics from Japan to America. Here is more on the same.
Here is what Patronis wrote in the letter
Here is what Patronis wrote. "To encourage you to consider relocating the 2021 Olympics from Tokyo, Japan to the United States of America, and more specifically to Florida." "With media reports of leaders in Japan 'privately' concluding that they are too concerned about the pandemic for the 2021 Olympics to take place, there is still time to deploy a site selection team to Florida."
A look at other details included in the letter
The letter, signed by Patronis, mentioned the potential strength of state's vaccination roll-out, its economic re-opening and sports events it has hosted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also stated that theme parks, including Disney World in the state, are open for business.
Flordia has been struggling with COVID-19 cases
Interestingly, the claims of Patronis are contrary to the present state of Flordia, which has been reeling with COVID-19 cases. So far, Florida has recorded over 25,000 deaths, with the overall death toll of USA climbing over 4,30,000. However, Patronis assured that the state will take all the necessary precautions. "Whatever precautions are required, let's figure it out and get it done," Patronis said.
Japan keen to host the Olympics
Last week, the authorities responsible for organizing the Tokyo Games clarified they would be sticking to the planned dates of July 23 to August 8. Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extended support on the same. "I am determined to realize a safe and secure Tokyo Games as proof that mankind will have overcome the virus," he had said.
Cancelation could have a severe economic impact
According to a report in The Economic Times, the budget of rescheduled Tokyo Olympics was valued at 1.64 trillion yen ($15.8 billion) in December, considering the costs linked to COVID-related measures. Notably, this could turn out to be the most expensive Summer Olympics in history. Tomoaki Iwai, a political science professor at Nihon University, said complete cancelation could have a "tremendous economic impact".
