IOC Decisions on Tokyo 2020 Coming

(ATR) The IOC will take a number of key decisions about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the coming weeks, including potential cost savings of $100 million.

IOC Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission chair John Coates said in his opening statement that up to 30 measures suggested by Tokyo 2020 were under review by the IOC. He told reporters following the sixth IOC CoComm to Tokyo that the measures were "a range of smaller items" proposed.

"In total they may have been as much as $100 million in savings and the IOC is going through them as we will respond to them," Coates said in response to a question by Around the Rings. "That’s just part of the savings. The biggest savings has been use of temporary facilities and use of sports sharing of facilities and that’s happening. This will be a process through to the closing ceremony."

One example Coates mentioned was Tokyo 2020 working with National Olympic Committees to propose opening the Olympic Village to athletes two days later than usual to save money on staffing costs.

Budget concerns for the Tokyo Olympics have been constant since a review of venues after the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The review coincided with the election of Yuriko Koike as Tokyo Metropolitan Governor. She pledged drastic measures to stop a ballooning budget. At one point projections put the total cost of the Tokyo Olympics at $30 billion, but stakeholders agreed to a budget of $16 billion for the Games.

IOC Executive Director Christophe Dubi emphasized to ATR any cost cutting measure approved would just be one step in an ongoing review.

"It is a process that will run until the very last day before the Games," Dubi said. "With the reductions they have, everywhere we look at we find pockets of small savings, sometimes very important savings. Don’t take it as ‘August is the final picture,’ it will be a first point in time that is a package, then we will refine for the next two years."

Meanwhile, the IOC Executive Board will review the ticketing prices and competition schedules for Tokyo 2020 next week. Tokyo 2020 has already said that some tickets will cost 2020 Yen or $18 to celebrate the Olympic year.

As for competition schedules, Coates said the task is one "principally done with the agreement of the International Federation and the Executive Board". For example, baseball and softball may have the number of games increased to account for the IOC approving a Tokyo 2020 structure different from what the federation proposed.

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori said that organizers will work with whatever decision is taken in Lausanne, but noted any increases would come with higher costs.

"We have accommodated [federations'] wishes but we are not allowed to change the principals and we will cater to [the IOC’s] requests," Mori said. "At next week’s EB when things are decided for swimming or baseball or softball we will make efforts to that end."

Weather and Transport Concerns A Puzzle

Organizers say that extreme heat and accommodating transportation around Tokyo are two problems the Olympics have faced before, but still vexing.

Tokyo’s summers are notorious for sweltering heat and humidity, which could negatively affect athletes and spectators in outdoor events.

A number of solutions are being discussed such as increased indoor air conditioned areas for athletes and spectators should events be delayed. Other cooling proposals are being discussed, such as fans and cooling stations for spectators in line to get into venues.

"The timing of [outdoor] events will be as early as possible as we’ve done in previous games to beat the heat," Coates added.

Mori said that organizers are "proceeding with our plans" for a Games transportation solution that would reduce impact on Tokyo commuters and businesses. Complicating the matter is the sheer amount of stakeholders involved in the process, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, different commuter rail operators, and the business community.

"We have to ask for their cooperation depending on their time frame," Mori said. "This is a huge business area, the logistics will be impacted with what can people do about that, everything will have to move in a smooth, integrated and scientific way.

"We have to come up with a plan, and we are proceeding for our plans. So please wait for a while."

Written and reported by Aaron Bauer in Tokyo

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