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‘Strange atmosphere’: Disappointed athletes brace for crowd-free Tokyo Games

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3 years ago

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The joy has gone for French decathlete Kevin Mayer, while Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has pulled out because of the lack of buzz.

Athletes set to compete at the Tokyo Games are struggling to hide their disappointment at spectators being banned.

With just two weeks to go before the opening of the biggest sports tournament since the pandemic began, organisers were forced Thursday night to yield to a surging domestic virus caseload and bar spectators from the majority of Olympic events.

The decision means the Games will be the first to take place largely behind closed doors — a blow to athletes who will now compete in front of largely empty stadiums.

For some the news proved a final straw, with Australia’s Kyrgios, a crowd pleasing showman who had already cast doubt on his willingness to participate, saying he would withdraw.

“The thought of playing in front of empty stadiums just doesn’t sit right with me. It never has,” he said on social media. “I wouldn’t want to take the opportunity away from a healthy Aussie athlete ready to represent the country.”

Mayer said he would miss the roar of crowds, saying organisers were “taking away a joyful part of sport.”

Others admitted that a crowd-free stadium was far from what they had imagined when first dreaming of Olympic glory.

“When we think of the Games, we think of the audience, the atmosphere, the supporters. It was what I wanted when I was little. It will certainly be a strange atmosphere,” said French cyclist Guillaume Martin, who is set to compete in the men’s individual road race in Tokyo.

And Philippine rower Cris Nievarez, who will be competing in the men’s single sculls, said he would miss the thrill of having family and fans cheer him on.

“I think all athletes who will compete in the Olympics really want to be in the company of family or my fans who will watch,” he told AFP.

‘The world is still coming together’

But for many taking part after over a year of COVID restrictions, empty stadiums will be nothing new and a lack of adoring crowds no obstacle to smashing records.

“Our athletes have generally prepared with no spectators in mind, it was a specific part of their process around these Olympic Games,” said New Zealand Olympic Committee team psychologist Kylie Wilson.

“We’ve seen athletes recording (personal bests) without spectators and learning not to rely on the crowd to deliver their best performance.”

US swimming stars even said colleagues should look on the bright side and take advantage of the significantly different flavour of the games.

“Even though we’re not having fans this summer the world is still coming together,” said freestyle great Katie Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medallist.

“And I still think that’s a really beautiful thing. I know this is going to be kind of a made-for-TV Olympics. I hope that everyone around the world tunes in.”

— AFP

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Asia

Up to 200 athletes tested for doping so far at Asian Games

Between 150 and 200 Asian Games athletes tested for doping, yielding no positive results. Anti-doping efforts emphasized for a clean event, focusing on record-breakers.

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1 year ago

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25 September 2023

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HANGZHOU, CHINA — Between 150 and 200 Asian Games athletes have already been tested for doping, the Olympic Council of Asia said on Monday, with no positive results so far.

Speaking at an anti-doping press conference on the second full day of the Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the OCA said dope-testing was “gaining momentum” at the event.

Mani Jegathesan, an adviser to the OCA anti-doping committee, warned that drug cheats would be rooted out.

Up to 200 athletes have been tested so far, he said, but any positive results will take several days to come through.

“Every athlete participating in these Games must understand that they could be picked at any time,” Jegathesan warned.

“That is the best step to ensuring we have a clean event.”

There are about 12,000 athletes at the 19th Asian Games, more competitors than the Olympics, and Jegathesan admitted it would be impossible to test them all.

Instead, they will prioritise, including picking out those who break world or Asian records.

— AFP

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Asia

Foodpanda’s restructuring amid sale speculations

Food delivery giant Foodpanda, a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, announces staff layoffs in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming for increased efficiency. This move coincides with ongoing talks about potentially selling parts of its 11-year-old business.

Published

1 year ago

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24 September 2023

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Foodpanda, a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, is initiating undisclosed staff reductions in the Asia-Pacific region, as discussions continue regarding the potential sale of a portion of its 11-year-old food delivery business.

In a memorandum circulated to employees on 21 September, Foodpanda CEO Jakob Angele conveyed the company’s intent to become more streamlined, efficient, and agile.

Although the exact number of affected employees was not disclosed, the emphasis was on enhancing operational efficiency for the future.

No mention was made in the memo regarding the reports of Foodpanda’s potential sale in Singapore and six other Southeast Asian markets, possibly to Grab or other interested buyers.

Foodpanda had previously conducted staff layoffs in February and September 2022. These actions come as the company faces mounting pressure to achieve profitability, particularly in challenging economic conditions.

The regulatory filings of Foodpanda’s Singapore entity for the fiscal year 2022, ending on 31 Dec, indicated a loss of S$42.7 million despite generating revenue of S$256.7 million.

Angele further explained that Foodpanda intends to review its organizational structure, including both regional and country teams, with some reporting lines being reassigned to different leaders. Additionally, certain functions will be consolidated into regional teams.

Expressing regret over the challenging decisions, Angele assured affected employees of a severance package, paid gardening leave, and extended medical insurance coverage where feasible.

Foodpanda will also forego the usual waiting period for long-term incentive plan grants, and vesting will continue until the last employment date. Employees will retain all vested shares as of their last day of employment.

Foodpanda, established in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, became a part of Delivery Hero in 2016. The company operates in 11 markets across the Asia-Pacific region, excluding its exit from the Japanese market last year.

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