Coates Warns Tokyo of Tough Questions

(ATR) IOC Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission Chair John Coates says organizers must be prepared to answer tough questions immediately to prevent a lack of trust and confidence in the Games.

Coates is in Tokyo with the IOC for a project review of Tokyo 2020. The review comes days after the 2018 SportAccord Convention wrapped up in Bangkok, Thailand. There federations met with the IOC to discuss the state of international sport.

A litany of federations brought concerns to Tokyo 2020 during its presentation to the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations assembly.

"We enter a phase where questions from stakeholders become very pragmatic and very urgent," Coates said to organizers and journalists to the opening of the review.

"I wasn’t at SportAccord but I have read and I know that your delegation experienced this from the international federations that were there, with some very pertinent questions. I say this as a friend: you can expect more of this."

Following the 2018 Winter Olympics the world’s focus has moved to Tokyo as organizers have just over two years to finish Games preparations. For federations, there are still decisions to be taken on calendars and in some cases the composition of the sport programs. Tokyo will also have to begin organization of test events in the coming months ahead of the 2020 Games.

"In terms of the normal planning cycle, we are probably a year behind having locked down decisions around various elements," Andy Hunt, World Sailing CEO said to Around the Rings in Bangkok. "I’m pretty confident that over the next few weeks we will get some of these issues resolved. It’s in everyone’s interests to get it done. Our first test event is in September so we have to move very quickly."

Coates will speak to the press on April 24 after the meetings end. The project review is a precursor to the full Coordination Commission visit to Tokyo in July. Currently Tokyo is working on how to stage the Games after cutting $1.4 billion from its operating budget.

Coates told organizers in his statement in Tokyo that federations are not the only stakeholders soon visiting the city.

In November, Tokyo is hosting the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly. There the world’s 206 National Olympic Committees will have a chance to tour Tokyo and speak with organizers. Coates said that Tokyo 2020 should be prepared with responses.

"They are going to want answers and so you have to be prepared to answer these questions when they are raised," Coates said. "If you don’t, these are the sorts of things that can impact the confidence of our stakeholders in your ability to host the Games."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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