Let the Games Begin! (after the vaccine arrives, that is): The Pandemic Pentathlon 

       You already know (assuming you have followed this blog even intermittently) my penchant for presenting opportunities for you to challenge yourself, both mentally and physically. The Olympics is a supreme example of both. The International Olympic Committee indicated a few days ago that they are now confident that the already delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will take place as 'originally rescheduled', 246 days from now...with spectators! This is partly based on the confidence they now have that a vaccine is arriving...any day now. 

All in a day's work: One of the more challenging events of the summer Olympics is the pentathlon, an ultimate exercise in cross training, calling upon many mental and physical attributes. The ancient version consisted of running, jumping, spear-throwing, discus, and wrestling (all of which you can do in your back yard, assuming your neighbors won't get too bent out of shape if they end up with an errant spear or discus in their yard). This event held a position of unique importance and was the climax of the games in ancient Greece, with the winner being ranked as "Victor Ludorum"  ("Hail to the victors...."). These were skills felt essential to the ideal Greek soldier, enabling them to be battle ready. The modern version, introduced at the Stockholm Games in 1912, incorporated pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse riding, and running. These were based on the premise "a man's moral qualities need to be tested as much as his physical resources and skills, producing therefore a complete athlete" (Baron de Coubertin). Until 1980, the modern pentathlon was held over five days but it has evolved to be a one day event now (whew!).

       While the '2021' Games may end up on time and with spectators, even in the event a vaccine arrives as now predicted, the experience for the athletes as well as the spectators promises to be a bit different this time around. In the true spirit of the Games and given my other penchant for parody, I offer you my own version of the Pandemic Pentathlon, consisting of the following five events:

'Leap of Faith': I can only imagine how many leaping 'reps' the IOC went through before making this announcement, especially since it happened simultaneously with many nations announcing new lockdown measures. If the Games come off as they hope, they will leap even higher -- for joy!

'Jump through Hoops': Athletes and spectators alike will endure new logistical challenges on both ends of travel, as well as while they are in Tokyo, ranging from daily (if not hourly) temperature taking and physical distancing (watch those who are in sports which require 'up close and personal').

'Capture the Attention of the Public': A huge challenge for both the IOC and NBC (who put up billions to cover the Olympics for several years). Perhaps the viewing audience will be hungry and be apt to tune in initially out of curiosity, but they have shown their weariness for a lot of professional sports and otherwise found other things to do, based on the lower ratings in most major athletics recently; perhaps this will be different.

'Bringing the Vaccine': Visualize instead of the Olympic torch being handed from one person to another across many countries to arrive at the Olympic stadium at the appointed hour of the opening ceremony, this time we will see a test tube being handed off and then poured into a giant needle.

'Cartwheels': The final event, what the Tokyo bidding committee (that convinced their taxpayers it was worth the risk to build all these facilities) and the IOC will do if they actually make a profit.

And I wonder how they will award medals from a distance...