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How did Tokyo make it to the opening ceremony?
They are the Olympic Games that many people thought wouldn’t – or shouldn’t – happen.
However, after a turbulent journey, the Tokyo Games are finally here.
After being put on hold by a pandemic, the most unique Olympic Games in history will officially begin today. Final preparations are taking place, ahead of the opening ceremony.
Shrouded in uncertainty, and marred by controversy and a cost blowout, the lead up to the games has also seen calls for them to be cancelled or delayed again.
“We had doubts every day. We deliberated. We discussed. There were sleepless nights,” according to IOC President Thomas Bach.
However, he claims says cancellation was never an option.
“The IOC never abandons the athletes.”
Thomas bach
But what about the host nation – where most people are opposed to the Games going ahead?
“Japan had an enormous positive output to olympics but that shifted after pandemic started,” Barbara Holthus, the editor of Japan Through the Lens of the Tokyo Olympics, tells Ticker News.
Still, organisers have repeatedly resisted calls to pull the pin.
Simon Denyer is The Washington Post’s bureau chief in Tokyo. He says there’s “indifference and in some cases outright hostility to these games happening here”.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has promised to deliver a “safe and secure” event.
Do Japanese people actually believe that will happen?
Well, according to a recent poll, two-thirds of the population do not.
Some health experts have even expressed concerns that the Olympics could become a COVID-19 super-spreader event.
Sports economist Simon Chadwick wants organisers to embrace simple and clear messaging.
“Whether they like it or not, the organisers have got to strip this right back to some basic essentials and they need to make sure this is about safety, security, trust and respect”, he told Ticker News.
Just a month ago it was decided up to 10,000 fans would be allowed into venues.
That decision was reversed – with all spectators banned.
“There’s fences around venues, streets are closed off, it’s really separated from the population. There isn’t any sense of excitement I can discern in the city about the olympics,” according to Simon Chadwick.
The jam-packed Games will feature 339 medal events across 42 venues with more than 11,000 athletes expected to compete.
Former Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett hopes once the sports spectacle begins, the magic of the Games will return.
“A lot of people are inspired about what a human being can do and hopefully that inspiration, gives inspiration back to community across the world,” he told Ticker News.
News
U.S. envoys head to Moscow as Ukraine peace talks accelerate
U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.
U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.
Senior U.S. envoys are preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as diplomatic efforts around the war in Ukraine gather pace. The visit comes after Russia formally requested high-level talks, signalling a potential shift in momentum.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Moscow following months of behind-the-scenes discussions. The move underscores Washington’s willingness to engage directly as negotiations enter a more decisive phase.
With global attention fixed on the outcome, the meeting could shape the next chapter of the conflict — and determine whether diplomacy can finally overtake military escalation.
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Trump drops tariff threat after Greenland framework deal
Trump announces Greenland deal, easing tariff threats amid trade tensions, boosting US markets and sparking Arctic diplomacy debate.
Trump announces Greenland deal, easing tariff threats amid trade tensions, boosting US markets and sparking Arctic diplomacy debate.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a framework deal involving Greenland, stepping back from earlier threats to impose tariffs on Europe. The shift comes after heightened global concern over trade tensions and geopolitical stability.
The announcement followed Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos and discussions with NATO’s Secretary General.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister has since weighed in, responding to speculation surrounding Greenland’s future and the implications of US involvement.
Markets reacted positively, with US stocks rallying after Trump signalled he would abandon the tariff threats.
While Trump reiterated he would not use force to acquire Greenland, the move has sparked renewed debate about diplomacy, trade, and influence in the Arctic region.
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Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms
Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.
Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.
A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.
Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.
Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.
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