The upcoming Tokyo Games will offer important lessons for other upcoming mass global events, like the World Expo in Dubai beginning in October and the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in Scotland in November—as well as the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Japanese companies put a record $3 billion towards sponsoring the Olympics. 

But without spectators in attendance, and given public opposition in Japan and elsewhere to holding the event, many are scaling back promotional events and booths, frustrated their investment won’t yield the expected return. 

Positive coronavirus cases are already appearing among athletes, team staff and International Olympic Committee officials.

The IOC has instituted strict protocols for the 11,000 athletes competing and living in the Olympic Village for the next three weeks, including:

• Wear a mask other than when training, competing, eating, drinking or sleeping. 
• Limit contact with others as much as possible and remain more than six feet apart at all times, including during meals.
• Avoid cheering, shouting, handshakes and high-fives during competition.

Similar constraints are in place for the 79,000 journalists, officials and staff who will also be in attendance. The city of Tokyo is already under a state of emergency that will last through the games.