(ATR) The Japanese Olympic Committee chairman reiterates that the delayed Tokyo 2020 will be a curtailed version of a typical Olympic Games.
Yasuhiro Yamashita's comments come on the eve of the IOC Executive Board online meeting on Wednesday and the first virtual IOC Session on Friday.
Tokyo 2020 organizers are scheduled to give a presentation to update the IOC at the Session. The status of the rescheduled Tokyo Games is at the top of the agenda for both meetings.
The JOC chief is the latest senior Tokyo 2020 organizer to warn that the Covid-19 pandemic and the one-year postponement will greatly affect the look of next summer's Games. Reducing costs and making the event safe are now the overriding concerns.
In comments reported by Reuters, Yamashita, who won a gold medal in judo at the 1984 Games, said "The Games (used to be) gorgeous and extravagant, which I experienced before...
"But I don’t think the concept of these Games will pursue these things. The first priority is to be safe and secure."
Yamashita also admitted that the pandemic has caused financial hardship for the JOC and said "there isa high possibility that we may have to consider borrowing money".
Japan Considers Easing Travel Restrictions
The Japanese government is reviewing a process that would ease travel restrictions to Japan for foreign athletes and games officials for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2021.
"We would like to think this through carefully by being considerate about the athletes and related parties," Japan’s Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto said during a press conference reported by Kyodo News.
Precautions will be set up to help prevent the spread of the virus. Hashimoto predicts a "difficult situation" without such plans. The Olympics’ organizing committee plans to draw up countermeasures as early as this fall after months of evaluating the pandemic situation.
Since February, Japan has put strict travel restrictions for incoming visitors to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Tokyo Olympics will to be held from July 23-August 8, 2021 followed by the Paralympics from August 24-September 5.
National Stadium to Host Athletics Event
The Japan Association of Athletics Federations announces it will hold track and field events in the new National Stadium next month.
The Golden Grand Prix 2020 Tokyo, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Meeting originally scheduled to take place on May 10 as a test event for the Olympic Games, is to take place at the Olympic Stadium on August 23.
In a statement, the JAAF says the Grand Prix will not only feature Japan’s top athletes but also highlight high school athletes,whose major national high school championships and other events were canceled due to the pandemic.
The meet will only be available to athletes who reside in Japan due to travel limitations in place.
Fans are not permitted to attend, but can follow the event on television and live stream.
Written by Greer Wilsonand Jose Chavez
For general comments or questions,click here.
Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Utah’s Olympic venues an integral part of the equation as Salt Lake City seeks a Winter Games encore
IOC president tells Olympic Movement “we will again have safe and secure Olympic Games” in Beijing
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
IOC president details Olympic community efforts to get Afghans out of danger after Taliban return to power
North Korea suspended by IOC for failing to participate in Tokyo though its athletes could still take part in Beijing 2022
