‘I can see the Olympic cauldron from my sleeping place’
MS, 53 Pitch: Western Tokyo From my perspective, to prevent infection I don’t think it’s a good idea to hold the Olympics. I can see the Olympic cauldron from my sleeping place, and in the daytime foreign media people with passes making their way to the site. I think saying there is a ‘bubble’ is a stretch.Although recently I haven’t been playing any sports, I used to play soccer. So now I’m into watching the games of the national team. I remember I was a member of the soccer club in my junior high school days. I hardly attended practice, but the team had me play to make up the numbers. I didn’t get any goals, but I think I was a good passer.
‘I’ve heard that foreign broadcasters will take trillions of yen in penalties’
Ito Haruo, 54 Pitch: Hikarigaoka, Tokyo I want the Olympics to be held. Otherwise, I’ve heard that foreign broadcasters will take trillions of yen in penalties, and I think that’s a waste of money.For me, the Olympics won’t affect my sales and livelihood because there are no places related to the event around my pitch and no visitor will come here.
I like to watch professional wrestling and baseball, as well as international wrestling such as WWE. Pro wrestling is cool and exciting when the moves are done. I play baseball, so I understand the fun of it.
When I was a child living in Akita, my hometown, I used to do sumo. I was once second place in a tournament. I still can do it wherever there is a ring.
‘It’s a shame that no spectators will be able to come from overseas’
Nakajima Yoshiyuki, 43 Pitch: Ochanomizu, TokyoI think it’s better to carry out the Olympics, since athletes all over the world should have been working hard. It’s a shame that no spectators will be able to come from overseas. I wish they would have enjoyed Japanese culture such as authentic sushi.
I have been a member of a street football organisation ‘Nobushi Japan’ [organised by The Big Issue Foundation in Japan, which has participated in the Homeless World Cup] for five years. Originally we practised twice a week, but since March we are having a break.