The International Olympic Committee has approved principles for simplifying the upcoming Tokyo Games, presented Wednesday to an online executive board meeting of the IOC by the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Tokyo committee's principles call for such measures as reducing the number of participants from international sports bodies and the like, and reexamining events related to the Games. Both sides also confirmed at the meeting that they will cooperate in moving ahead with preparations for the Games in line with the new principles.
The opening of the Tokyo Games has been postponed until next summer due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, and Wednesday marked the organizing committee's first report on the status of its preparations at an IOC board meeting.
To realize a simplified tournament, the Tokyo committee emphasized the need for new measures from the dual perspectives of reducing costs and coping with the coronavirus. The committee also stated that it will work to minimize costs resulting from the postponement so as to win the understanding of the Japanese public, particularly the residents of Tokyo.
The committee indicated its intention to reconsider the level of services to be offered during the Games; call for reducing the number of participants -- including executives -- from the IOC, international sports federations, and the Olympic committees of each country and region; and reexamine the holding of related events.
Although the number of sports events and participating athletes -- the core of the Games -- will not be subject to review, the Tokyo committee also referred to the possibility of additional measures in light of the coronavirus epidemic.
The committee unveiled a new roadmap toward the opening of the Games. It will finish sifting through the issues arising from the postponement and adjusting the schedule of events and their venues this month.
From September through the end of 2020, it will discuss measures to deal with the coronavirus epidemic. In early 2021, it will incorporate related measures into the operating plan for the event, accelerating preparations for the Games.
Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo organizing committee, said at a press conference: "There are many opaque, speculative opinions regarding the situation surrounding the new coronavirus and the world next summer. It would be premature to guess or debate hypothetical scenarios. We will consult closely with the officials concerned, taking such steps as responding in the moment if necessary."
At a press conference following the board meeting, IOC President Thomas Bach said that Japan had shown its determination and capability to hold wonderful Games next July.
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