(ATR) Yuriko Koike says Tokyo must capitalize on the experience provided by the Rio 2016 Olympic organizers in order to be successful hosting the next edition of the Games.
The Tokyo governor told a gathering of Olympic leaders and future host cities that she understands the pressure that comes with hoisting the Olympic flag in her city.
"With the world watching, I accepted the two flags of the Olympics and Paralympics from the (Rio) mayor and felt then that it is now Tokyo’s turn," Koike said during the opening session of the Rio 2016 Transfer of Knowledge session. "The flag itself was not heavy, but the burden of responsibility which comes along with it was."
IOC members along with 25 PyeongChang 2018 delegates, 17 Beijing 2022 delegates, five delegates from each of the 2024 Olympic bid cities of Budapest, Paris and Los Angeles and a whopping 500 stakeholders of the Tokyo 2020 Games are in Tokyo for a three-day workshop.
The meetings will allow future organizing committees to learn from the 25-member Rio 2016 delegation on what it takes to overcome the burden of responsibility that comes with staging the Olympics.
The IOC tells Around the Rings the ninth edition of the Transfer of Knowledge session will feature more interactive and panel discussions opposed to traditional presentations by past OCOGs.
IOC President Thomas Bach is not attending the session or the subsequent coordination commission in Tokyo that begins on Thursday. However, Bach addressed those in attendance at the debriefing via video messaging and told the delegates the Olympic Movement requires "unwavering commitment".
"Organizing the Olympic Games is an intensive process that requires creativity, discipline and collaboration with many people and stakeholders," he said. "It is important for Rio 2016 to share the experience with future host cities.
"Now, all our attention turns to Tokyo, to build on Rio’s success and write the next chapter of the Olympic Games. I’m confident that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a transformative moment for all of Japan."
The message of transforming Japan is key as organizers and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government debate over proposed venue changes for the Games. The proposal to move some venues such as cycling, rowing, canoeing, baseball and volleyball to areas far outside Tokyo reflect both the need to reduce the estimated cost of the Games and the desire to help transform disaster-affected areas.
A working group was established between the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the TMG and the national government to come to a conclusion about moving venues and trimming the budget. IOC official Christophe Dubi says top officials from each of the four groups will meet Tuesday and will likely provide a path toward a consensus on venue and budget changes.
In the meantime, Tokyo 2020 organizers will learn from Rio 2016 and their cost-cutting efforts that helped make the Games a reality in the face of adversity.
"In the organization in Brazil, a lot of attention was given to cutting costs," said Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto. "The use of overlay at the venues was noticeable, and using not just taxpayers’ money but private funding was also noticeable. It was an important suggestion made to us."
Written by Kevin Nutley
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