Tokyo 2020, IOC Agree on Simplified Games Measures

The rescheduled 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo will be simplified in four categories as part of the local organizers’ continuing work with the International Olympic Committe’s Coordination Committee, while not cutting the number of participating athletes for either the Olympics or Paralympics.

Among the Games’ streamlining will be a reduction of stakeholder personnel attending the event, streamlining transportation services, adjusting spectator activities at venues and hosting some pre-Games meetings online. The cost saving for those and other measures taken by Tokyo 2020 will be updated ahead of October’s IOC Executive Board meeting.

“Considering the current state of the world, we have been discussing how we will be able to deliver a safe and secure Games that can win public understanding in these challenging times,” Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori said. “This process will benefit future society – becoming a role model for future global events as people adapt to living in the new normal. We will make all efforts to ensure that in the future the Tokyo 2020 Games will be a legacy. We will continue to work hard on simplifications towards next year and ask for the continued cooperation of all those involved in the Games.”

Plans for any potential limits on spectators have not been discussed, Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Toshiro Muto said. The Games are scheduled to take place July 23–August 8 with the Paralympics from August 24–September 5.

A number of issues that are COVID-19-related and have to be addressed by the IOC and organizers include travel access, physical distancing, personal protective equipment, food and beverage handling, testing and tracking, and vaccines.

“Built from the principles outlined by the Joint IOC and Tokyo 2020 Steering Committee, these optimizations and simplifications mark an important step towards delivering a safe and successful Games in 2021,” said IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates, who recently said the Games will go ahead in 2021 regardless of COVID. “We owe it to the public to enact these measures during these challenging times, that’s why we’ve left no stone unturned and will continue to look for further opportunities over the coming months.”