Tokyo 2020 Welcomes the World's Media Agencies to Japan, Aiming to Initiate Fruitful Collaboration

Many of the world’s leading media agencies gathered in Tokyo for a three-day briefing this week, giving them a preview of the 2020 Games and the information they need to commence their preparations and coverage plans. From 10 to 12 April, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee welcomed more than 50 media representatives to the Japanese capital.

The representatives attended detailed presentations on a range of functional areas, from accreditation and technology to accommodation and transport; these gave them a good understanding of the progress being made and the milestones ahead. The group was also taken on a tour of some of the Tokyo 2020 venues, the highlight of which was a visit to Tokyo Big Sight, the venue that will serve as the Main Press Centre and the International Broadcasting Centre.

"This is a very important briefing for Tokyo 2020," said Anthony Edgar, Head of Media Operations at the International Olympic Committee, "but it's also a very important briefing for the news agencies. Now is the time when they're looking at their budgets, how many people they are going to need and how they will be moving them around. Everyone was really impressed, so we are very happy with how it's all gone and they are looking forward to coming back next year."

"It is a Japanese-style organisation, precise and detail-oriented," added Vincent Amalvy, Head of Special Operations of the Agence France Presse. "Some parts need to be carefully planned in order to be ready for the start of the Games, with so many people coming. From AFP, around 200 people will come to Japan to support our Tokyo-based staff. So it is very important to get a good understanding of how the Organising Committee is working."

The briefing was an opportunity for the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to fine-tune its press operations plans. Commented CEO Toshiro Muto to the attendees: "I very much hope that this meeting will be mutually beneficial in providing an effective forum for you to actively air your views on how we can create the optimal environment for you to carry out your coverage of the Games."

Richard Demak, Senior Editor and Chief Reporter for the Sports Illustrated, concurred. "This kind of communication is really invaluable. For example, understanding the importance of being able to take the subway at three in the morning, because the world operates on a 24 hour basis. Just because it is three in the morning in Tokyo doesn't mean it is three in the morning in Abu Dhabi, so you have to file your story at that time. It is a 24-hour operation."

Coverage by the world’s media of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a vital component in the overall success of the Games. Tokyo 2020 remains committed to delivering the best possible services and conditions to support their work in Japan.

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