Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and IOC Hold Video Conference on Future Games Preparations

The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held an Executive Project Review via teleconference on April 16.
(Photo: Representative shot)

Attending from the IOC were Coordination Commission Chairman John Coates, Vice Chairman Alex Gilady, and Executive Director Christophe Dubi. Attending from the Organizing Committee were Chairman Yoshiro Mori and Secretary General Toshiro Muto. They discussed the framework for future steps, basic policies, issues arising from the postponement, and the schedule for the Tokyo Games, which had been postponed for one year.

Following the meeting, a press conference was held for media outlets via a live YouTube broadcast.
At the outset, IOC President Coates announced the establishment of a "Joint Steering Committee" to oversee the future process, stating it would be led by himself and Chairman Mori, with Secretary General Muto and Mr. Dubi as members. He added that to support the Committee, the IOC would establish a "Here We Go" task force, while the Organizing Committee would set up a "New Start Headquarters."

He also expressed the preference to maintain the already decided venues and competition schedule, while demonstrating a commitment to cost reduction. He suggested that holding the Games in 2021 would stimulate Japan's economic recovery and presented it as an opportunity to address heat countermeasures and water quality issues. He stated that detailed operational plans would be reviewed by the end of April, with the aim of finalizing a roadmap in May.

Chairman Mori commented, "Reaching agreement on the framework for next year's Games is a major achievement, and we also share the recognition that cost is the biggest challenge. Regarding venues, we will request cooperation from venue owners to align with next year's schedule. We will continue to work with all stakeholders and strive towards holding the Games."
Press Release: "Framework for Future Games Preparation Following the Postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games"
https://tokyo2020.org/ja/news/news-202000416-01-ja