NextGen 2020 - Organizing the Games

You Can't Organize an Olympics Without a Program...

As the long time chair of the IOC Program Commission retires, naming a replacement for Franco Carraro will be one of the key decisions of 2020. One of IOC Pres. Thomas Bach's possible choices isKarl Stoess, Austria NOC President and IOC member. He is is the vice chair of the commission that shapes the program of the summer and winter Games as well as the programs for the two Youth Olympic Games. IOC Commission week is set for Lausanne in January, which may provide the answer to who gets the chairmanship.

Tokyo 2020

Olympic speedskater Seiko Hashimoto is now the Olympic minister as preparations head into the final months. Appointed in 2019, she is the first competent person to hold the post in the six years that have passed so far in preps for Tokyo 2020. Hashimoto, chef de mission for Japan at the Sochi Olympics, is a veteran member of parliament.

Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Yuriko Koike has set an example to follow for future Olympic host city leaders. She has been formidable in her efforts to reign in the cost of the Games.

At the organizing committee, sports chief Koji Murofushi will keep an eye on the myriad details of the competition. Media chief Masa Takaya will be a familiar face of Tokyo 2020 with his command of English and his deep knowledge of the Tokyo plans.

Opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will set the tone for both Games. Actor, director and producer Mansai Nomura is the Chief Executive Creative Director for all Tokyo 2020 ceremonies. He’s been leading the creative team since 2018.

Lausanne 2020

In January, Virginie Faivre will lead the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne. The world champion freestyle skier could be on her way to new posts as a leader in sports administration after her experience with the YOG. IOC Athletes Commission member Danka Bartekova leads the IOC cocomm.

Beijing 2022

IOC vice president Juan Antonio Samaranch is the cocomm chief. The centennial of his father’s birth in 2020 will draw attention to the parallels of the elder’s role in bringing the 2008 Olympics to Beijing and what Juan Antonio Jr. is doing to bring the Winter Games to the city.

Dakar 2022

The 2022 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar will be a real test for the IOC and Senegal, the first for Africa. IOC member Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe heads the IOC cocomm. Senegal IOC member and NOC President Mamadou Ndiaye is a key figure for the project, too.

Paris 2024

Tony Estanguet moves Paris forward towards 2024 as president of the organizing committee. He’s the first Olympian to lead an organizing committee since fellow Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy at Albertville ’92.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo is a force to be reckoned with, given that another term is possible through the 2024 Games. Eager to bring the Olympics to Paris, she also won’t tolerate risk or excess.

Milan 2026

Sari Essayah of Finland has her first high profile post as chair of the cocomm for the winter Games. She joined the IOC in 2016, and is a former candidate for president of Finland. She’ll likely have the opportunity to use her skills as a politician in dealings with the Italian government and Milan officials. Milan 2026 president Gianni Malago will be prominent in the years ahead as president of the Italian NOC and as an IOC member as of 2019.

Los Angeles 2028

Casey Wasserman quietly leads Los Angeles on the way to 2028 with the longest lead time ever for an Olympic host city. He’s working on the first national sponsorships along with a marketing team headed by chief revenue officer Kathy Carter. USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland also has a leadership role in the joint venture with LA 2028. In Colorado Springs, Luella Chavez D’Angelo has just joined the USOPC as chief marketing and communications officer.

Into the Future

For Olympic host cities yet to be chosen, the IOC has launched two permanent commissions to handle ongoing engagement with potential candidates. Both will have their first meetings in 2020.

Romanian IOC member Octavian Morariu heads the new commission for the selection of Winter Olympic hosts. His group goes into action soon for the 2030 Games. Sapporo and Salt Lake City appear to be the prime contenders.

The new IOC commission on the Summer Olympics will be headed by Norwegian IOC member Kristin Kloster Aasen. Soon she will lead the search for a 2032 host city. Australia, India, Indonesia, the Mideast, Korea and Africa may surface with bids.

Reported by Ed Hula.