Tokyo Marks Two Years to Olympics

(ATR) Games organizers admit that construction delays at the aquatics center and rowing venue may impact Olympic test events.

"We have been informed that the two venues have a delay compared to the original schedule," Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya was quoted in a Reuters report.

"We are working closely with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the respective federations to be able to sort out and possibly modify the test event schedule."

On Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 released an update on the construction of permanent venues, saying preparations "remain on track". A series of events were held in the Japanese capital to celebrate the two-years-to-go milestone.

The organizing committee said building work on the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Village, Sea Forest Waterway, canoe slalom course and the aquatics center was around 40 percent complete.

But the swimming venue and the rowing and canoe-sprint facility at Sea Forest Waterway are said to be months behind schedule.

According to Tokyo 2020’s progress report, the aquatics center is only 35 percent complete and won’t be finished until February 2020; its the final venue scheduled for completion. The Olympic Stadium is due to be finished in November 2019.

With the first test events beginning next summer, any building delays could disrupt the schedule causing problems for the international federations keen on testing venue operations at every opportunity before the Games.

Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya responded to the concerns expressed about the test event schedule: "Despite the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's announcement last month that construction of the Aquatics Center and the Sea Forest Waterway will be delayed by two months, both the TMG and Tokyo 2020 can confirm that the construction schedule will have no impact on Games preparations or running test events."

He said the estimated completion date for theSea Forest Waterway wasnow set for May 2019 while the test event for rowing was scheduled in August 2019: "We do not foresee any impact on the test event schedule."

Takaya also confirmed construction of the aquatics center was due be completed in February 2020, with Games organisers planning for test events for aquatics "in April or later, ensuring no impact to the preparations for the Games-time operations".

He added: Overall, Tokyo 2020 is right on track to deliver the Games in two years time. Our recent report to the IOC Executive Board was well received, and the IOC recognised that Tokyo’s venue preparations are being carried out with an emphasis on project management and quality."

Countdown Celebrations

A number of events were held around the city, including relay races, engagement with the Tokyo 2020 Mascots and a countdown event at Tokyo Skytree Town. At the countdown, 731 lanterns were displayed representing the number of days left until the Tokyo Games.

#2YearstoGo!開催まで #あと2年！

～#Tokyo2020 オリンピック カウントダウンLIVE②🎥～

豪華ゲストと #ミライトワ #ソメイティ、会場の皆さんが一緒に「東京五輪音頭–2020–」を踊ります。#2020O https://t.co/7urZrjimkw

Last week, the IOC coordination commission for Tokyo led by John Coates expressed its satisfaction with Games preparations during their latest inspection visit.

Coates told organizers they "should all be very proud" of the progress of the Olympic venues.

During the visit, Coates did not raise any issues about Olympic construction delays, despite a tour of the Sea Forest complex where equestrian cross country will also be held. Coates said that 2020 organizers had no issues with meeting construction deadlines for the Games.

Taking part in countdown celebrations in Tokyo on Tuesday were governor Yuriko Koike and organizing committee chief Yoshiro Mori as well as Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

"I want to continue introducing Tokyo to the world as a host city. It is important to speed up our preparations," Koike said in an address to people who gathered in the Sumida district, according to Kyodo News.

City leaders and Games organizers also spoke about the heat wave that has led to 65 deaths in Japan in the last week, pledging to prepare measures to combat the high temperatures if the sizzling weather repeats itself in the summer of 2020.

"On the premise that two years from now will also be boiling hot, we will make our best efforts," Olympics minister Shunichi Suzuki was quoted as saying at a press conference.

Koike likened the heat to"living in a sauna" to assembled reporters. Weather this week reached 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit), a national record, in a city just outside Tokyo.

Organizers have worked to mitigate heat by scheduling outdoor events early in the morning, but concerns remain for both athletes and spectators spending long hours outside.

Koike said that organizers must find creative solutions to combat heat because "it's just as important because the purpose is also to protect people's lives".

Reported by Mark Bisson

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