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About 1,000 Olympic Games volunteers have resigned over the past month, organizers said, in which organizing committee chairman Yoshiro Mori resigned over sexist remarks and a new chairman was chosen for the replace.
Volunteers are the backbone of all Games, doing everything from guiding people to venues, translating and leading visitors.
A significant drop in their numbers could be another hurdle for Tokyo 2020, already hit by an unprecedented one-year postponement and lack of public support fueled by concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Tokyo 2020 organizers said not all volunteers who resigned recently are resigning due to Mori’s comments.
Investigations have shown that volunteers repeatedly expressed concerns about the coronavirus.
The total number of volunteers recruited by Tokyo 2020 is 80,000 and organizers have said they do not expect the management of the Games to be affected, as the number of departures is only around 1% of the total.
Another 30,000 volunteers were recruited separately by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which was unable to immediately comment on the number of people who resigned.
Additionally, the postponement of the Games affected some volunteers, who were able to help last year but are not this year, due to job changes or other lifestyle changes, such as the having to look after young children.
The Olympics will run from July 23 to August 8.
Meanwhile, the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee is asking spectators to support the upcoming torch relay by applauding and will broadcast the event live to avoid rallies.
The torch relay, which will begin on March 25, could be temporarily suspended due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic if large gatherings are spotted on the streets during the event, said Yukihiko Nunomura, senior executive of Tokyo 2020, during a press briefing.
“By chance, if dense gatherings occur in the streets, the torch relay may be shut down as we prioritize safety and security,” Nunomura said.
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