Those first post-war Games were not exactly an extravaganza with a tight budget, food still rationed and some of the venues hastily prefabricated. 

I was 10 at the time and I don’t remember too much about the actual competition other than the four gold medals won by sprinting mum Fanny Blankers-Koen, the phenomenal Flying Dutchwoman.

But what I do recall vividly is how the fact that the Olympics were happening elevated our spirits and helped eradicate some of the memories of wartime depravations.

Providing they actually happen – and let us pray that they do - the upcoming Tokyo Games should serve a similar function. After COVID-19 the world will need an urgent infusion of joy and well-being and, thanks to the gift of the jab, it seems to be coming our way.

Yes, I know the pandemic is still running riot but with the Oxford vaccine about to join the fight alongside the first Pfizer jab I have just had in my left arm, and others being rolled out around the world, there has to be hope that by the time the Games are due to start on Friday July 23 2021 the world will be up and running again – as will its athletes.

To blatantly misquote Richard 111: "Now is the summer of our content." As I say, let’s hope so.

The Olympics will be the biggest event of any kind to be held in this coming year and credit must go to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo organisers for their patience, self- belief and persistence.

If Tokyo 1964 is any criteria we are in for a Games, however decimated, that will be beautifully orchestrated and efficiently organised. They were the first Olympics I attended and rate highly among the most memorable, up there with Sydney, London and Athens, not for any outstanding athletic achievement, although there were some, but for the ambience, the politeness and innate charm of the hosts and the fragrance of a fast-growing city in cherry blossom time.

They also happened to be the last of what you might term the "pure" Olympics, before rampant commercialism and another form of jab – the one an increasing number of competitors plunged into their biceps containing illegal substances in the hope they might get away with it, which have polluted De Coubertin’s blueprint for ever.

So what sort of Games are we likely to see in Tokyo? My hope is that there will be substantial crowds, without social distancing. But this will depend on how well the virus has been contained.

No doubt there will be much oriental splendour and great escapism entertainment in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies but whether we will see spectacular performances in the Olympic Stadium or other venues is highly doubtful.

We do not know how many of the 206 nations who have accepted invitations will have athletes sufficiently prepared and ready to compete. The virus has certainly taken a heavy toll, hampering the training of athletes and, sadly, resulting fatalities among those who would otherwise be officiating.

What intrigues me is the sort of reception the Chinese delegation might receive. For if and when COVID is finally KO’d the inquests will begin.

The blame game has been awfully quiet these past few months while the world wrestled with the virus.

But by mid-summer some searching questions may be asked of China. Did the virus really begin in a wet market in Wuhan? Or a lax laboratory in Beijing? And how come China’s two principal cities, Beijing and Shanghai somehow remained relatively unaffected?

Japan and China are not exactly bosom buddies and while that reception out of courtesy will not be openly hostile, it could well be pointedly muted.

It has to be said that in Tokyo itself there is not a great deal of optimism that the delayed Olympic and Paralympic Games will go ahead completely virus free.

Organisers are to spend $900 million (£667 million/€734 million) on measures to stop the spread of coronavirus at the events.

The final budget means the Games will cost $15.9 billion (£11.7 billion/€12.9 billion) - up $2 billion (£1.4 billion/€1.6 billion) from figures last year.

It could make the Tokyo Games the most expensive summer Olympics in history.

The coronavirus plans include the creation of an infection control centre in the Olympic and Paralympic Village, as well as plans to regularly test athletes and a ban on cheering in venues. Yet what difference would that make with masks on?

A poll last week by national broadcaster NHK showed that the majority of the Japanese general public oppose holding the Games next year, favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the event.

As for the rest of us we certainly need something to cheer about and Tokyo could provide the key to a new dawn as could another massive event likely to take place just before or after the Games, probably somewhere in the Middle East. 

The multi-million dollar world heavyweight title fight between Britons Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is also something that will captivate the world. Throw in football’s Euros and there is plenty to take our minds off one of the worst periods in our history.

But it is Tokyo 2020 that is the key to a new dawn. In some ways they may turn out to be the sort of Games that would be close to the dear old Baron’s heart, now buried in Olympia itself.

For so many of the anticipated – but unlikely – 11,000 competitors will be there simply to take part. For once, that philosophy may be no bad thing.