Opinion:
In the topsy-turvy world we find ourselves in, I'm glad Tokyo 2020 went ahead - and seemingly without any hiccups.
There were fears before the torch was lit that the event would be a super spreader for Covid-19 but the issue appears to have been resolved by not having any fans in the stands.
It's something we've gotten used to as well, seeing the world's premier athletes perform in front of empty seats and no, not because they're not any good.
New Zealand has had a successful campaign thus far, especially athletes from the Bay of Plenty.
We're also debating whether one of our very own, Lisa Carrington, is New Zealand's greatest Olympian ever.
The Olympics are something that brings everyone together and captures the imagination, even with people who traditionally are not into sport.
People instantly become experts in the analysis of any sport and could coach any athlete they end up watching and it's impossible not to. I doubt we'd have a few more medals in our tally if they'd listened to us couch potatoes, though.
The Olympics have served as a nice distraction, if you ask me, as the world around us is flooded with gloomy headlines. Most are about Covid-19, the virus which has crippled so much of our lives over of late.
Take, for example, the raging outbreak across the ditch in Australia. New South Wales recorded more than 260 new community cases on Thursday.
To put that in context, in New Zealand, while the Government tries to roll out the vaccine, some people are debating the name of our country.
My view? Who cares what you call this country and whether that's different to your neighbour or someone on the internet you've never even met?
I'm gobsmacked this is actually happening. Are we arguing about it because no one else can think of any other issues? Surely not, because from homelessness to jobs there's a great deal to talk about.
In the grand scheme of things, we've got it pretty good in New Zealand.
We need to stop looking to bring others down or looking for an argument when we all should be working to get along and improve everyone's lives — and celebrating the endeavours of the world's Olympians.
'The clean-up was thorough and there is no ongoing risk.'
