New public health contexts may mean we don't see scenes such as this at Tokyo in 2021
The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) presented a progress report via video conference on Games preparations to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board on 10th June. The focus is now on simplifying and optimising the Games preparation and delivery, reducing the cost impact of postponement and promoting public interest, reflecting the new global economic, societal and public health contexts
Following the 24 March decision to postpone the Games, Tokyo 2020 and the IOC held an Executive Project Review on 16 April, at which both sides agreed upon a framework for the preparation of the Games. At yesterday’s meeting an update was provided regarding positioning, principles for re-planning, and a roadmap to the first ever Olympic Games to be postponed
The presentation outlines that:
- The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the world and focused priorities but this global situation also presents a huge opportunity for Japan, the Olympic Movement and the whole world
- Tokyo 2020 in 2021 offers the opportunity be a milestone in the world’s shared journey of recovery and a light at the end of the tunnel, providing a symbol of hope, resilience and the power of humanity working together as one
Games preparation
Preparations for the Games in 2021 will follow three principles:
- To prioritise the health and safety of athletes, spectators, stakeholders, volunteers and staff
- To reduce the cost impact of postponement and promote public interest.
- To simplify and reduce the complexity of the Games to ensure they can be organised efficiently, safely and sustainably in this new context.
Principles
Simplify and optimise the Games preparation and delivery, while keeping a focus on sport and athletes, to reduce the cost impact of postponement and promote public interest, reflecting the new global economic, societal and public health contexts
- Critical sport competition and athlete-related elements will be maintained where possible, and only be adapted to the new context if absolutely necessary for Games operational reasons.
- Promote collaboration between all stakeholders and delivery partners to ensure relevant experience is leveraged to find creative solutions to simplify Games delivery from the viewpoint of reducing cost and implement COVID-19 countermeasures, including following points.
- Encourage stakeholders to optimise their delegations working in Tokyo.
- Ensure that focus of optimization is placed across all areas including those with higher budget impacts.
- Ensure adjusted plans per venue and stakeholders to optimize and streamline the services levels.
- Reconsider non-core cultural elements of the Games.
The Road Map
