Like many here I had an amazing time following the Paris 2024 Olympics, and it was a privilege to have this opportunity to display our capital and country to the world.
The Tokyo Olympics were in my opinion the most forgettable ones in recent times, unfortunately a lot of what made Paris 2024 an international success couldn’t happen there because of Covid restrictions.
The pandemic robbed the Japanese of a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their culture and country, and the rest of us were robbed of the opportunity to enjoy the Tokyo Olympics the way they were meant to be.
Once in a lifetime is a bit hyperbolic, especially for a rich country like Japan.
While I agree Tokyo should get a second shot, I’m old enough to remember the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, which most definitely featured a Japanese cultural showcase. Japan also hosted the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo.
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, and is hosting again in 2034.
Los Angeles hosted the Summer games in 1984 and will be hosting again in 2028.
Tokyo just has to reapply and demonstrate a good case, which I’m sure they will.