They had an additional year to prepare for the upcoming Games. And I get that things are difficult, especially with COVID in the mix. But as a resident of Japan, I am super nervous with how disorganized this all is. END.
I haven’t even started covering the games in earnest yet but I am EXHAUSTED. I’m guessing this role usually goes to someone who does logistical stuff - and not a reporter. So I thought I’d raise some awareness on what’s been happening behind the scenes.
Now - they’ve told us to download an app to monitor our health and to put in our COVID test results. It isn’t working for any of my colleagues. I’ve sent in multiple emails asking for a response - they won’t be able to enter Japan without this app running. But so far - nothing.
For example, I asked a few weeks ago if our registration numbers would become our ‘accreditation numbers’ - and then act as visas for entry into Japan. It’s a simple question, and the answer is yes - I found out later. But the response I got was: “I think so?”
Speaking of email, 99% of my emails have gone unanswered. I am supposed to be the liaison between my organization and the organizing committee, but that’s REALLY hard when they won’t give me the time of day. When they DO answer emails, they can't answer basic questions.