The summer olympics started in Tokyo, Japan early this morning local time - and, across Belize, sports fans are heartbroken that they can't see it. For the first time in the history of Belizean television dating back to the early 80's - it's being blocked out on all local and cable television stations.
As we told you - that's because the Belize Cable Television Operators Association could not reach an agreement with the rights holders, which, regionally, is a Group called International Media Content, and, locally, it's a company called Concorde Media Group. They were asking for 40 thousand US dollars to acquire the rights - which in the current climate, the BCTVOA could not afford - and neither could this station which has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights for the Olympics in the past.
But, Belize does have a small contingent there. They are Samantha Dirks, Shaun Gill and Amado Cruz.
Dirks is a California-native with Belizean roots who will represent Belize in the 400m at this year's Olympics.
Gill will be competing in the 100m.
And, Cruz will become the first Belizean canoe athlete to participate in men's kayak events.
