Thank you, Japan and Olympic Event Managers 👏

An open letter to the courageous people of Japan and event managers that organised the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games successfully.

If you’re a sports lover like me, the last two weeks were all about the Olympics. Australia achieved its highest-ever medal tally, and the Boomers, led by the inspirational Patty Mills, secured their first Olympic basketball medal. Go Boomers!

But while we were celebrating the athletes, many of us in the events industry couldn’t help but think about the enormous logistical undertaking behind the scenes: the bump-in, bump-out, risk assessments, health protocols and contingency plans, especially in a global pandemic.

As Paul Sweeney of The Australian put it so well:

“Notwithstanding the most difficult circumstances imaginable, the execution of the Games was flawless. The facilities were world-class and the dignity, politeness, and respect with which all visiting participants were treated was outstanding, as is usual in Japan.”

Hosting the Olympics was never going to be easy. The Japanese people were divided—some for, some against, but they persevered with humility and courage. That’s the word that sums it up best: courageous.

Of course, we missed the scale and spectacle of a traditional opening or closing ceremony but given the circumstances, the restraint was a powerful symbol of respect. While the world watched with excitement, Japan reminded us what it means to lead with integrity and thoughtfulness during difficult times.

Yes, the competitions were thrilling, and the wins unforgettable but what stood out most was the safe and seamless delivery of a global event, made possible by the resilience of the organisers and the unwavering grace of the Japanese people.

To all those involved, we simply say: Doomo arigato gozaimasu.

Thank you. We’re proud of you.