GAMES

Athletes will be expected to arrive in the Tokyo 2020 Athletes’ Village five days prior to their competition at Tokyo 2020 and depart a maximum of two days afterwards.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed it had requested National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to adapt their arrival and departure plans to fit in with these new rules designed to reduce the risk of coronavirus.

IOC President Thomas Bach, speaking after the organisation’s Executive Board meeting today, revealed the decision was taken to minimise the number of people living in the Athletes’ Village.

"We think that this is absolutely necessary, because we need to reduce and minimise the number of residents in the Olympic Village to minimise the risk of COVID exposure," Bach said.

"At the same time, we wanted to maintain the athletes’ experience.

"We wanted to be balanced with the considerations about athletic performance and also with attendance at the Opening Ceremony."

The guidance advises that in cases where travel time to Japan and time difference is minimal, the number of days spent in the Olympic Village prior to the competition should be shorter.

Where possible, athletes are expected to acclimatise to the time differences in pre-Games training camps in Japan rather than in the Olympic Village.

Athletes residing in satellite villages who have completed their competition are not recommended to return to reside in the Tokyo Olympic Village in order to minimise the risk of cross contamination.

Sport specific team officials are expected to follow the same policy as athletes in terms of arrivals and departure patterns.

Non-sport specific team officials, such as administration staff, general team doctors and physiotherapists, can arrive and depart depending on NOC needs whilst minimising their time in the Village following the departure of their last athlete.

Exemptions of one or two days could apply depending on training obligations and partners, time zones, flight availability and the Games Ceremonies.

IOC vice-president John Coates last month suggested such restrictions may be required at the Games.

The Tokyo 2020 IOC Coordination Commission chairman warned that athletes staying longer at the Village "increases the potential for problems".

Coates had also warned of the need to ensure the Athletes' Village is the "safest place in Tokyo" during the Games and to control the facility so it does not become "overly populated".

The number of officials attending the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be limited to six as part of coronavirus countermeasures which are set to be in place at the Games.

Athletes are also likely to be told to remain in the Village and will be encouraged not to go out sightseeing.

The IOC claimed that athletes were central to the decision-making process for these guidelines, with IOC Athletes’ Commission chair Kirsty Coventry serving as a co-chair of a working group on the issue.

The IOC Athletes’ Commission were presented with the guidelines in November, with the body reportedly offering full support for the plans to adapt the time residents will be in the Olympic Village.

Further guidelines are expected to be published by the IOC and Tokyo 2020 early next year.

Each NOC will be responsible for creating, communicating and enforcing their respective arrival and departure policies based on these guidelines, the IOC said.

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Tokyo 2020 has claimed the postponement of the Olympic Games will cost $2.8 billion (£2 billion/€2.3 billion), as the Organising Committee confirmed how the additional costs would be allocated.

Japanese media reports last week claimed the postponement would cost $1.9 billion (£1.4 billion/€1.6 billion).

According to Reuters, Tokyo 2020 have now suggested the figure is higher at $2.8 billion (£2 billion/€2.3 billion).

The figure was revealed at a three-party meeting with representatives of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will reportedly pay $1.1 billion (£820 million/€900 million), with Organising Committee contributing $1 billion (£740 million/€820 million).

The remaining $700 million (£520 million/€575 million) would be covered by the Japanese Government.

"In cooperation with the IOC and other relevant organisations, Tokyo 2020 will continue to work to minimise and reduce the additional costs of the Games, other than those related to countermeasures against COVID-19 infection," Tokyo 2020 said.

"Tokyo 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan will each take responsibility for certain of the costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the agreement.

"In the event Tokyo 2020 is not able to cover any of the costs allocated to it by means of revenue growth, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will bear those costs.

"From among the additional budgeted areas, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the government of Japan shall in principle each be allocated an amount equivalent to one-half of the costs incurred as a result of COVID-19 countermeasures, in accordance with the interim summary published at the Coordination Meeting.

"However, the cost of the inspection system for athletes, etc. and of the Infectious Disease Control Centre being established by the Organising Committee will be covered in full by the Government of Japan, as it will serve as the central function for infectious disease control at the Games as well as supporting the border control measures being implemented by the Government.

"In addition, the Government of Japan will implement other measures in alignment with the basic policy approved by the Cabinet in November 2015 with the aim of ensuring the smooth preparation and operation of the Games."

Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto claimed their share would be covered by a contingency fund detailed in last year’s budget, additional sponsorship and insurance, according to Reuters.

Tokyo 2020 was set to cost around $13 billion (£9.7 billion/€10.8 billion) before it was postponed in March.

Of this, the Organising Committee was due to cover $5.8 billion (£4.4 billion/€4.8 billion), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government $5.7 billion (£4.3 billion/€4.8 billion) and the Japanese Government the remaining $1.4 billion (£1 billion/€1.2 billion) In May, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach predicted the postponement of Tokyo 2020 would cost the governing body $800 million (£601 million/€669 million).

With $150 million (£113 million/€125 million) of this figure set to form an "aid package" for the Olympic Movement, the remainder was put aside for the organisation of the Games.

The IOC has reportedly waived any further additional royalties accrued by new sponsorship deals, which have been secured by Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo 2020 and the IOC announced 50 cost-cutting measures since the postponement, which they claim will save $288 million (£217 million/€241 million).

These include a cut to the number of officials attending the Games, infrastructure reforms that will reduce the amount of lighting and additional temporary power supplies for venues, and the elimination of ceremonies at the Athletes' Village and prior to the Opening Ceremony.

Tokyo 2020 will reportedly spend $960 million (£720 million/€801 million) on COVID-19 countermeasures.

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Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics reportedly estimate the postponement of the Games is set to cost an additional $1.9 billion (£1.4 billion/€1.6 billion).

Tokyo 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japanese Government will determine next month how much of the additional cost each will take on, Kyodo News reports.

The Games were postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Olympics now scheduled for July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics set to be held from August 24 to September 5.

Additional costs have surfaced from expenses related to securing venues, equipment rental, storage fees, and extra labour.

In May, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach predicted the postponement of Tokyo 2020 would cost the governing body $800 million (£601 million/€669 million).

With $150 million (£113 million/€125 million) of this figure set to form an "aid package" for the Olympic Movement, the remainder was put aside for the organisation of the Games.

Since then, Tokyo 2020 and the IOC have announced 50 cost-cutting measures which are claimed to save $288 million (£217 million/€241 million).

These include a cut to the number of officials attending the Games, infrastructure reforms that will reduce the amount of lighting and additional temporary power supplies for venues, and the elimination of ceremonies at the Athletes' Village and prior to the Opening Ceremony.

The simplification measures have been dubbed the "Tokyo Model" by Tokyo 2020 and the IOC, with suggestions future host countries can learn from the cost-cutting steps.

Tokyo 2020 was set to cost around $13 billion (£9.7 billion/€10.8 billion) before it was postponed in March.

Of this, the Organising Committee was due to cover $5.8 billion (£4.4 billion/€4.8 billion), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government $5.7 billion (£4.3 billion/€4.8 billion) and the Japanese Government the remaining $1.4 billion (£1 billion/€1.2 billion)

Organisers are continuing to devise coronavirus countermeasures to ensure the Games can take place safely next year.

The wearing of face masks and social distancing is expected to be mandatory, while athletes will be encouraged to limit their stay in Japan after competition.

Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshirō Mutō has said measures for fans, including non-Japanese residents, would be drawn up by the spring, with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike revealing her hopes of holding the Games with "full spectators present".

Hopes of a successful staging of the Games have been boosted by progress in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, although it may still be some time before they are available to the wider public.

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has suggested the organisation will shoulder some of the costs of vaccinating participants for COVID-19 at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games next year.

Speaking during his first visit to Japan since the coronavirus pandemic hit, Bach said fans at Tokyo 2020 are likely to require vaccinations to protect the Japanese public but denied claims it would be a requirement for overseas visitors to enter the Olympic and Paralympic host country.

Bach also reiterated his view that the IOC was growing increasingly confident fans will be able to attend the Games, rescheduled to 2021 due to the global health crisis.

Tokyo 2020 organisers and the IOC were last week boosted by the news that a vaccine being developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and BioNTech has been found to be 90 per cent effective in preventing people from getting the virus after global trials.

Bach, who has previously insisted a vaccine is not a "silver bullet" for the Games taking place, said the IOC was in talks with manufacturers and other health experts but claimed the organisation would not jump the queue ahead of those who need a vaccination most.

"In order to protect the Japanese people and out of respect for the Japanese people, the IOC will undertake great effort so that as many (people) as possible – Olympic participants and visitors will arrive here (with a) vaccine if by then a vaccine is available," Bach said today.

"This makes us all very confident that we can have spectators in the Olympics stadium next year and that spectators will enjoy a safe environment.

"The first priority has to be a vaccine for the nurses, the medical doctors and the people who keep our society alive.

"If afterwards a vaccine is available, the IOC would bear the cost so that participants can be offered a vaccine."

Bach held his first face-to-face meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, where the two officials repeated their intention to hold the Games as planned.

The Olympics are due to run from July 23 to August 8, before the Paralympics take centre stage between August 24 and September 5.

"In this meeting, we were totally aligned in the full determination and confidence to make the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the Paralympic Games a great success next summer here in Tokyo," Bach said.

"Together we can make these Olympics Games and the Olympic Flame the light at the end of the tunnel."

Suga, who succeeded Shinzō Abe as Prime Minister in September, "explained that we are making various considerations on the premise of having spectators and agreed with President Bach to work closely together toward realising a safe and secure Olympics".

Organisers are relying on a coronavirus countermeasures taskforce, formed of officials from the Japanese Government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo 2020, to come up with measures and ways to allow the Games to run as scheduled in 2021.

Policies are expected to be announced before the end of the year.

Bach also met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike for talks on preparations for the Games on the first day of his four-day visit.

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has sought to reassure Chefs de Mission for Tokyo 2020 that their athletes will be able to fulfil their "Olympic dream" next year.

Speaking during a video message during a Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission seminar today, Bach promised the organisation was "working at full speed...to ensure the Games are fit for a post-coronavirus world".

In keeping with the recent declarations from senior IOC and Tokyo 2020 officials that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic, Bach struck an optimistic tone throughout the message.

He said a series of countermeasures being devised for Tokyo 2020 will ensure the IOC and organisers are "prepared for safe Olympic Games...in whatever conditions the world will be in" in 2021.

"Even in these ever-changing times, many of the operation details that are on top of all Chefs de Mission minds are still being worked on," Bach said.

"But please rest assured that we are focused on developing a tool box of COVID countermeasures for every possible scenario."

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori also gave a video message prior to the webinar, telling Chefs de Mission aspects of the simplification measures set to be implemented by organisers at the Games "will affect you all".

Organisers claimed last week the various cost-cutting measures, including a reduction in the number of officials at the Games by 10 to 15 per cent and removing welcome ceremonies at the Athletes' Village and prior to the Opening Ceremony, could save up to $280 million (£217 million/€238 million).

Mori repeated his assertion that coronavirus countermeasures for the Games were "our biggest challenge" but insisted organisers were "united in their efforts" to hold a safe Olympics and Paralympics in 2021.

The Tokyo 2020 President said the Olympics opening on July 23 next year "will be a moment of solidarity and unity that mankind has never experienced before".

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