Photo/Illutration A family poses for photographs with the Olympic rings at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris on July 25, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (REUTERS)

“I don’t like the Olympics,” writes Sachiko Kishimoto, a professional translator, in her humorous collection of essays “Ne ni Motsu Taipu” (I’m the type who holds a grudge).

She writes, “I don’t like them because all everyone talks about from morning to night is the Olympics.”

She continues gently, explaining, “I don’t like them because everyone is obsessed with the number of medals.”

She suggests that the gold, silver and bronze medals be replaced by acorns, dried sardines and cicada shells.

“I don’t like them because of how (Japanese) athletes who don’t win medals and their events are treated as if they never existed in the first place. I also don’t like them because athletes compete on a country-by-country basis.”

I think I can understand half of what Kishimoto feels. I also feel awkward seeing our whole society get preoccupied with one topic of conversation all at once.

Japan reportedly aims to win 20 gold medals at the Paris Olympics, but what matters shouldn’t be how many medals are won.

I also worry that the Olympic Games could incite rivalry between countries.

What impresses us is the performance of each and every athlete.

But I wonder whether excessive commercialism casts a shadow over the appeal of sports.

It is a serious case of putting the cart before the horse when the event schedules are determined for the convenience of TV broadcasts, instead of giving consideration to the athletes.

But still, I can’t say I don’t like the Olympics.

That is because I sympathize with their ideals.

They inspire us to oppose war and desire peace. They also place importance on diversity, respect for human rights and abolishing discrimination.

These things are too far away from the reality we face, but that is all the more reason to cherish the noble ideals behind the Games.

I wonder what we will see in the Opening Ceremony at the Seine River tonight.

Kishimoto writes, “I only like the Closing and Opening Ceremonies just a bit. I don’t like the rest.”

—The Asahi Shimbun, July 26

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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