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.
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.
Will Patrick Mahomes be hailed as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history?
The Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious once again, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 to claim their second consecutive championship.
The high-stakes game kept fans on the edge of their seats as both teams showcased exceptional skill and determination.
The 49ers, known for their strong defence, put up a formidable fight, but the Chiefs’ offensive prowess ultimately proved too much to handle.
STAR PLAYER
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs with a stellar performance, showcasing his prowess with strategic passes and crucial touchdowns.
MASTER CHIEFS
As the confetti rained down on the Chiefs, celebrations erupted both on the field and among fans worldwide, marking another historic moment in the team’s legacy.
With this victory, the Chiefs solidified their status as a dominant force in the NFL, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this powerhouse team.
The Chiefs join the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s, the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s and New England Patriots of the 2000s and 2010s as the only NFL teams to have won three Super Bowls in a five-year span.
Amazon considers acquisition of Diamond Sports as part of its plan to expand streaming portfolio
Sources suggest that Amazon is eyeing the streaming rights for major sports leagues including MLB, NBA, and NHL, signalling the tech giant’s strategic move into the lucrative world of live sports broadcasting.
The potential deal with Diamond Sports would provide Amazon with a significant foothold in the sports streaming market, allowing the company to offer a comprehensive range of live sports content to its Prime Video subscribers.
This move aligns with Amazon’s broader strategy to diversify its entertainment offerings and attract a wider audience. The acquisition of streaming rights for popular sports leagues could make Amazon a major player in the competitive streaming landscape.
Industry experts speculate that Amazon’s interest in Diamond Sports is driven by the desire to capture the growing market for live sports streaming, a segment that has gained immense popularity in recent years.
The acquisition would not only give Amazon access to a vast library of sports content but also position the company as a formidable competitor to traditional broadcasters in the live sports broadcasting arena.
Disney’s ESPN may achieve a $24 billion valuation; potential suitors could involve Apple and Verizon.
In a recent financial report, Bank of America suggests that Disney’s ESPN could be on the verge of reaching a staggering $24 billion valuation. This eye-catching figure has sparked interest from potential buyers, with technology giants Apple and telecommunication leader Verizon being touted as likely contenders.
The valuation surge is attributed to ESPN’s successful digital transition, with streaming services, exclusive sports content, and expanding international markets contributing to its growth. Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s sports networks further boosted ESPN’s portfolio, making it an attractive asset for prospective buyers.
Apple, known for its foray into content creation with Apple TV+, could leverage ESPN’s sports content to expand its media empire. Meanwhile, Verizon, with its vast telecom infrastructure and distribution capabilities, could use ESPN to enhance its content offerings and engage a broader customer base.
This development marks a pivotal moment in ESPN’s history, and its future owner could redefine the landscape of sports broadcasting. As the valuation continues to climb, all eyes are on the potential suitors and the ensuing negotiations.