2021-07-23 14:23:05

“COVID Games” Begin in a Fearful Japan as Olympic Committee Prioritizes “Profits Over All Else”

As the Summer Olympics begin in Tokyo after the International Olympic Committee pushed forward during a pandemic despite widespread opposition in Japan, we speak with a protester outside the Olympic stadium and former Olympic athlete Jules Boykoff.

“The people have been frustrated actually ever since the awarding of the Olympics in 2013,” says Satoko Itani, associate professor of sports, gender and sexuality at Kansai University. “The vast majority of Japanese people don’t want these games.” Boykoff argues the “saga in Tokyo has exposed an International Olympic Committee that openly disrespects the will of locals, that brushes off inconvenient facts from experts … And the IOC tends to prioritize its profits over all else.”

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. lOur reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

2020 Olympics 2021 Olympics Amy Goodman Coronavirus Covid COVID-19 Democracy Now! Free Speech TV International Olympic Committee Jules Boykoff Pandemic Satoko Itani

Health

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | Time to Tackle Healthcare

The Rick Smith Show | Time to Tackle Healthcare

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | Following a Tragedy, Rick Smith Talks About what he Learned

The Rick Smith Show | Following a Tragedy, Rick Smith Talks About what he Learned

Rising Up With Sonali

Rising Up With Sonali | Healing Through Community

Rising Up With Sonali | Healing Through Community

Democracy Now!

Family of Lashawn Thompson Demands Justice After He Was "Eaten Alive" by Insects in Atlanta Jail

Family of Lashawn Thompson Demands Justice After He Was "Eaten Alive" by Insects in Atlanta Jail

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | ICE is Silencing Protest

The Thom Hartmann Program | ICE is Silencing Protest

FSTV Original Interviews

Black History, Resistance & the Power of Art: Jasiri X on FSTV

Black History, Resistance & the Power of Art: Jasiri X on FSTV

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Live Interview: Keith LaMar on The Injustice of Justice and His Fight for Freedom

Democracy Now! | Live Interview: Keith LaMar on The Injustice of Justice and His Fight for Freedom

FSTV Speaks

FSTV Speaks | Protecting Immigrant Lives

FSTV Speaks | Protecting Immigrant Lives

Related

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | Does the Left Needs its own Media Ecosystem?

The Thom Hartmann Program | Does the Left Needs its own Media Ecosystem?

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | American Society Used to Benefit from the Wealthy

The Thom Hartmann Program | American Society Used to Benefit from the Wealthy

Proud Partners