Tokyo 2020 Updates International Federations

(ATR) International Federations receive an update from Tokyo 2020 organizers on the key changes to Games operations following the one-year postponement of the Olympics.

The online event on Thursday opened with remarks from IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell, ASOIF Executive Director Andrew Ryan and Tokyo 2020 Sports Director Mikako Kotani.

Kotani used her opening remarks to introduce herself to the IFs.

She started in her position at the beginning of the month, replacing Koji Murofushi, who left to become commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency.

In his opening remarks, McConnell said the IOC is "sure the Games will take place" next year as planned. He added that the IOC takes "a lot of confidence from the fact that many of you as federations have returned to competition recently" and is looking to build on those lessons learned in all of the planning for Tokyo 2020.

Ryan used his opening statement to make clear the IF stance on cuts to the operating budget.

"From the IFs point of view, it is really important that any savings we collectively identify must be real or significant savings that do not impact or increase risk of operations at least negatively."

It was the turn of the IFs following webinars for the National Olympic Committees earlier in the week.

Tokyo 2020 tells Around the Rings a total of 201 NOCs participated in the chefs de mission webinars, which for the first time were held in English, French and Spanish.

The English version on Monday had 281 people taking part, with an estimated 60 to 70 people attending each of the French and Spanish sessions.

The meetings were shorter than usual, with the English version lasting three hours on Monday. Tokyo 2020 says that was because it covered only the parts of the Games that have been changed due to the postponement.

Tokyo 2020 adds that additional one-on-one meetings will be available.

There is the possibility of a venue tour in the early part of next year, though that is dependent on the status of both immigration restrictions and the venue preparations. A venue tour was held in August of 2019.

Written by Gerard Farek

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