Tokyo Budget Cuts Not Affecting Rio 2016 Observer Program

(ATR) 2020 Olympic organizers say Tokyo Assembly’s decision to cancel some Rio Olympic trips will have no impact on its observer program at this summer's Games.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly said Friday that it was cutting back on its budget to send officials to Rio to take part in the official observer program due in part to the high cost of hotels. The decision came days after Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe quit over an expenses scandal.

But Tokyo 2020 tells Around the Rings it’s observer program is unaffected and it wouldn’t be sending fewer officials.

"It would be an invaluable opportunity to listen and learn from Rio 2016, and our observation plan remains," a spokesman said.

On Monday, Tokyo Games chiefs announced the Live Site program for the Rio Olympics. It will allow Japanese fans to cheer on their Olympians and watch the handover of the Olympic flag at the end of the Rio Games.

The two Live Sites in Tokyo will be located at Ueno Park in the Heritage Zone of the Tokyo 2020 venue plan and in the popular park of Tachikawa city in western Tokyo. The Live Site program will also be hosted in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima - prefectures affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

The Live Sites will feature live broadcasts from the Rio 2016 Games on large screens, as well as stage performances and there will be taster sessions in Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Koji Murofushi, Tokyo 2020’s sport director, said the Rio Olympics was "an important milestone" for the hosts of the next Games.

"We are convinced that Tokyo 2020 Live Sites during the Rio 2016 Games will not only allow for people of all ages and all horizons to gather and celebrate sport and to transmit their energy to the athletes, but they will also contribute to further promote sports as a driver of positive changes in our country," he said.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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