Budget Concerns for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

(ATR) The International Paralympic Committee warned Tokyo 2020 about the state of its Paralympic budget at the conclusion of a two-day project review.

"We fully appreciate and endorse the need for the organizing committee to reduce its overloaded budget by making efficiencies and reducing costs where needed," Xavier Gonzalez, IPC chief executive, said following the review.

"However during this exercise, there remains a lot of uncertainty regarding the Paralympic budget. We need greater clarify for the OCOG on Tokyo 2020’s operational cost related to the Paralympic Games in order to greater understand where cost savings can and should be made."

Tokyo 2020 has been working with the IOC, the national government, and Tokyo Metropolitan Government to reduce costs in the overall budget for the Olympics and Paralympics. The cost-cutting drive came from budget projections in 2016 that said the Tokyo Games could cost upwards of $30 billion.

After a series of four-party talks, Tokyo’s budget has been pared down. The IOC even touted its cost saving mechanisms in its "New Norm" bidding procedures aimed at showing a new-look cost efficient Games model.

Now, the IPC is worried Tokyo may have gone too far. After experiencing a budget shortfall ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, the IPC says it is keen to use the experience to prevent any future occurrences.

"Tokyo 2020 is now under no illusions about the need to provide a detailed Paralympic budget outlining all operational costs," Craig Spence, IPC spokesman, said to Around the Rings about the project review.

According to a Tokyo 2020 spokesperson, the two-day project review focused on accommodation, branding, communication, engagement, live sites, National Paralympic Committee services, spectator experience, test events, ticketing, transport, venue accessibility, and the Paralympic Village.

Regarding accommodation, the IPC stressed that Tokyo 2020 and government partners must do more to increase the number of wheelchair accessible rooms in the city.

"Generally Tokyo is accessible but what is surprising is the lack of accessible hotel rooms which meet the standards we expect for wheelchair users," Spence added. "National government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government have responded to our concerns and are making efforts to improve the situation."

For example, according to Jiji News Agency, the Palace Hotel in Tokyo "has five barrier-free rooms among its 290 guest rooms". Other issues stem from lack of space to accommodate wheelchairs, and the inaccessibility of hotel bathrooms for those with impairments. Gonzalez said that both local and national governments in Japan have introduced "new legislation and [are] launching a subsidies program" to address the issue.

"In the short term we are working with Tokyo 2020 and the hotel providers to address the immediate accommodation needs for the Paralympic Games," Gonzalez said.

Positive Review of Beijing

Before heading to Tokyo, Gonzalez and the IPC traveled to Beijing for a project review on the 2022 Winter Paralympics.

According to the IPC the two sides discussed "people management, venues and accessibility, Paralympic Games integration, engagement and communications, planning and co-ordination, broadcasting services, marketing, and legacy".

An IPC spokesperson told ATRafter the meeting that preparations "are on schedule".

Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Paralympics but will be hosting the Winter Paralympics for the first time. Recently, construction in venues outside of Beijing in the Zhangjiakou cluster restarted after shutting down for the winter. The Games’ projects there are expected to be completed next year.

"By maximizing public awareness and engagement in Paralympic winter sports ahead of the Games, together with improving and setting new standards in terms of accessibility, China really can create a more inclusive society and change attitudes towards impairment," Gonzalez said after the Beijing project review.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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