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Dr. Jeff Porter

Dr. Jeff Porter

Olympian and Sports Business Professional

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Postponing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games

March 23, 2020 By Dr. Jeff Porter

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the entire world, it looks like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will do that right thing and postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. As an Olympian myself, I do not take my statements lightly, but with the entire global community facing a pandemic (one of which we have never seen before), it is about time the IOC stepped up and made the tough decision to postpone the Olympic Games. This decision will no doubt have lasting ramifications but to not postpone the Games could have been disastrous.

Taking a macro perspective and with the Olympic Games just over 4 months away, it is helpful to consider the following. We will use the sport of track and field as our case study, as it is second only to swimming in the number of Olympic medals won for Team USA. In the United States, the sport of track and field relies heavily on the collegiate system. Track and field athletes rely on early season competitions hosted by universities, and many workout on university tracks and use their training facilities. With the spread of COVID-19, the NCAA and most institutions have simply canceled the rest of the Winter and Spring seasons. This means, at least for the next couple of months, track and field athletes will have nowhere to compete. With states instituting mandatory curfews, “shelter in place” orders, and a host of other parameters to curtail the spread of this virus, there are few places for athletes to train or compete domestically. International competitions have been canceled for the next couple of months at least, not that traveling to other countries would be advisable in the current climate; there is a very real risk of being quarantined in another country should COVID-19 continue to spread.

Even if the Olympics were allowed to continue as planned if the spread of COVID-19 were somehow contained or controlled, bringing everyone together from around the world, secluding them in the Olympic Village together, and then sending them back to their home country could potentially reignite the spread of the virus all over again. At present, there is simply too much risk in hosting the Olympic Games, and for these reasons postponing the Olympic Games makes sense.

The IOC has currently given itself a four-week deadline to decide on what postponement actually means. Until then, the entire world will await their decision. In the meantime, the athletes’ future hangs in the balance with the continued uncertainty.

Filed Under: Olympic Sports, Uncategorized

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During my time at the University of Michigan, Dr. Porter took me under his wings and showed me what it takes mentally and physically to be successful on and off the track. Under his mentorship, I learned how to perceive my own weaknesses and confront them with courage. This has allowed me to keep a focus on my path and continue to achieve higher in education and excellence.

Dr. Porter instilled in me the Michigan traditions of what it means to be the Leaders and the Best. If you are looking for someone who goes above and beyond what he is called to do, then I would highly recommend Dr. Porter for any of his services.

(Codie Nolan- UM Grad ’16)

“Jeff told me I could achieve anything in this life if I work hard, and then he went off and made his first Olympic team.

He told me I could overcome any setback if I persevere, and then he went off and earned his doctorate.

When I was told to consider giving up my dream of becoming a dentist because I didn’t have the grades to get in, Jeff told me to have faith in God’s plan for me and take the admittance test anyway.

To this day I’m waiting to hear, “I told you so.”

(Philip Washington DMD Candidate, Class of 2022)

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