Photo: Tom Jenkins/Getty
Critics have suggested it is unsafe to hold the event as variants of the coronavirus spread rapidly across the globe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previouslyadvised againstvisiting Japan this summer, including for fully vaccinated travelers.
“People have shown that the protocols put in for sports are really getting better. The NBA has been proving that, even before now, and that it can be done,” OlympianBolt toldYahoo! Sports' Jared Quay on Friday’s episode ofThe Rush. “So, for me, I’m happy that the athletes actually got a chance to now compete because … I feel like if they put the right protocols in and everybody [follows] the rules, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Bolt, 34, is aCOVID-19 survivorhimself. The now-father of three contracted the virus in August 2020 but said he remained asymptomatic throughout.
Not all that contract COVID are as lucky, however. As of Friday, more than3.9 million peoplehave died worldwide from the virus since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Japan hasfaced its fair share of criticism for its handling of the pandemicin recent months as the country pushes forward with plans to host the Olympics. Still, Bolt believes most athletes will have no issue following any health and safety protocols put in place.
“I think the majority will be very professional because this is what we do for a living and they’re all excited to get back to compete because it got canceled last year,” Bolt said. “And the fact that it’s on now, people are going to be really serious and just happy to be a part of it. So, I know they’ll follow the rules.”
There is one particular sport Bolt is looking forward to catching, too.
“I’ve always wanted to watch swimming,” he admitted. “I mean, Michael Phelps did some great things in the pool and all I got to see of that was replays or hear about it. It’s good to just watch and get to witness it for yourself.”
Bolt believes Richardson brings “a different vibe to the sport,” which he very much welcomes.
“It brings a different energy to the sport,” Bolt said to Quay. “She makes me laugh, just her vibe, her energy, and she has a tough story. But she’s a tough cookie.”
If there’s one thing Bolt truly hopes to see, though, it’s a broken record — as long as it’s not his.
“It’s good to see records breaking. Not mine though,” he said duringThe Rushappearance with a chuckle.
To learn more about all the Olympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. The Tokyo Olympics begin July 23rdon NBC.
source: people.com
