Featured Post from Cedarville University

Is it time to shelve the 2020 Summer Olympics? Let our expert explain what’s at stake

Mar 23, 2020

2 min

Andrew Wonders, M.S.



The Olympic flame finally touched down in Japan this week, but as opposed to the global fanfare and growing excitement about this summer’s Olympic games – there’s a lot of talk about cancelling or at the very least postponing the event until the COVID-19 global pandemic subsides.


With virtually every sport across the planet on hiatus or cancelled for the season, the decision seems like an obvious one.


But perhaps not?

 

With countries around the world battling to contain the coronavirus pandemic, there are growing calls for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to either postpone or outright cancel this year's summer Olympics, which are scheduled to begin on July 24 in Tokyo.


Here are some of the issues surrounding a possible postponement:


Is it even possible for the Olympics to be postponed?


The answer is yes, but it's complicated. 


Japan's Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto has said that Tokyo's contract with the IOC states that the Games must be held during 2020. That would give organizers leeway to at least push the starting date back.


In the past, the IOC has been adamant that the Games would open July 24. The Paralympics are scheduled to start Aug. 25.


"The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games, there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counterproductive," the statement said.


Postponing the Games would have ramifications on TV rights, sponsor contractors, transportation and managing the workforce needed for an event like the Olympics. March 20 - CBC



 

There are billions of dollars at stake for the host country and for the International Olympic Committee. But with countries already pulling out or refusing to send athletes, what decision the IOC eventually makes will likely see a less than gold-standard showcase of the world’s elite competitors.

 

If you are a journalist covering this topic – then let our experts help.

 

Professor Andrew Wonders joined the faculty of the School of Business Administration at Cedarville University in 2013 following a 13-year career in the sport industry. He is an expert in the areas of major sporting events and the business of sports. If you are looking to arrange an interview with Professor Wonders – simply click on his icon to arrange a time.

Connect with:
Andrew Wonders, M.S.

Andrew Wonders, M.S.

Assistant Professor of Sport Business Management

Professor Wonders joined the faculty of the School of Business Administration in 2013 following a 13-year career in the sport industry

Sports EventsSports Business & Related IssuesOlympics & Related Issues

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

2 min

Preparing for Tariffs

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, many business owners are preparing for his proposed economic plan to install tariffs on all imported goods. He has also spoken of a plan to add additional tariffs on imports from countries such as China. There is concern that imposing such tariffs would raise the cost of everyday goods in the United States. Looking forward, what are the potential risks and benefits of Trump's tariff plan? Economics expert, Dr. Jared Pincin, recently weighed in on this discussion. Here are three key details from his latest interview: A tariff is a tax on imports. Trump has stated that on his first day in office, he will put a 25% tax on all products coming in from Canada and Mexico. Will this effectively raise revenue without impacting consumers? If these tariffs are actually put into place, Pincin states that they do have the potential to put upward pressure on prices. How would this affect not only consumers, but also business owners? And what can business owners do to prepare for this possibility?  Trump has proposed that tariffs will deter the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, with tariffs putting pressure on countries like Mexico and China. What is the chance that these countries react with their own retaliatory tariffs? If you are covering the the U.S. economy during the Trump administration and need to know more, let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Jared Pincin is an expert on economics and is available to speak to media regarding the Trump administration and the economy – simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

2 min

Will TikTok Be Banned?

The social media platform TikTok is on the verge of a U.S. ban—unless it can be stopped by President-elect Donald Trump.  The policy will take effect on January 19, requiring that TikTok find a U.S. parent company or face a ban in the United States. This comes after concerns about user data falling into possession of the Chinese government and fears that they could use TikTok to spread misinformation. Derrick Green, communication expert at Cedarville University, has spoken about the motive behind this ban and why Trump may reverse it. Here are three key points from his recent interview: Trump has pointed out that he would not let TikTok be banned, if elected as president. How could he actually implement this and block this ban from taking effect? The President-elect used TikTok as a part of his campaigning strategy and found success on the app, this coming after he proposed to ban it in 2020. Did his use of TikTok influence his desire to save the app? The proposed ban of TikTok was based on national security and the mental health of young people in the United States. If TikTok was shut down in the United States, what would the effects be? If you are a journalist covering the TikTok ban or the effects of social media, our experts are here to help with all of your questions and stories. Derrick Green is the Chair of the Department of Communication at Cedarville University. Green is available to speak with the media regarding digital media and its effects. Simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

2 min

The Anxiety of Election Season

After the results of the U.S. presidential election were announced, many Americans celebrated. But many voters instead found only stress and anxiety. After an election of rhetoric that foretold the end of democracy if the opposing candidate won, there seems to be a unique amount of post-election stress. How did election rhetoric affect this outcome, and can we expect future elections to cause this same stress? Political expert, Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, discussed the anxiety that many Americans felt even before the election and how it can be dealt with moving forward. Here are some key takeaways from his recent interview: This election cycle caused so many Americans to lose sleep that the term "electsomnia" was coined. Has the anxiety of election season always been present, or has the presence of social media paved a way for this problem? Constant access to information about the election is a probable reason for many voters' anxiety. How can Americans keep themselves informed without causing unnecessary damage to their mental health? This is not the first complicated or difficult election that the United States has faced. Now that this election season is over, how can Americans—both those who are satisfied and those who are frustrated by the results—move forward while recognizing that politics does not define them? If you are a journalist covering the election results and voters' responses, our experts are here to help with all of your questions and stories. Dr. Mark Caleb Smith is the Director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University. Mark is available to speak with the media regarding election emotions and the election results. Simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

View all posts
Powered by