Tokyo Olympic CEO: Games next year may not be ‘conventional’
TOKYO » Almost two months after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said Friday he still could not give an estimate of how much the one-year delay will cost.
Figures in the Japanese media have ranged between $2 billion and $6 billion, with most mounting expenses likely to be covered by government entities.
Although he was vague about the costs and who will pay, Muto was very clear about one thing in the online news conference.
“The actual games we will have one year from now may not be the same conventional Olympic and Paralympic Games that we have come to know,” he said, speaking in Japanese and translated through in interpreter.
Muto floated ideas about cuts everywhere, though the only specific target he mentioned was the torch relay.
“We are looking into every possible area,” he said. “It’s time for all of us to review what are the essential things for the games. What are the must-have items? ... I think we might come up with a new Olympic and Paralympic Games, something that is unique to Tokyo.”
F1: Belgian GP gets go ahead, no fans
BRUSSELS » The Belgian Grand Prix can go ahead at its original August date, but with no fans, local authorities in the Walloon region said Friday.
After Belgium last month banned all mass events in the country until August 31 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Formula One race scheduled for Aug. 28-30 at the Spa-Francorchamps track was under threat and organizers suspended ticket sales.
“The Grand-Prix de Belgique can be held behind closed doors, as well as all training sessions,” Elio Di Rupo, the president of the French-speaking region, said on Friday.
Taulia Tagovailoa transferring
COLLEGE PARK, MD. » Taulia Tagovailoa, a backup quarterback at Alabama behind star brother Tua Tagovailoa, is transferring to Maryland.
The 5-foot-11 quarterback will need a waiver to be eligible this season. He played five games last season as a freshman, completing 9 of 12 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
USSF settles 1st of 3 lawsuits
CHICAGO » The U.S. Soccer Federation under new president Cindy Parlow Cone settled the first of several long-running lawsuits.
The USSF and the U.S. Soccer Foundation reached an agreement that ended a lawsuit filed by the charitable organization in December 2018.
Established in 1991 to receive the surplus from the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., the foundation has awarded more than $100 million to grow the sport. The USSF in 2018 demanded the foundation stop using the trademarks the foundation had employed since at least 1996.
MLS announces partnership
Major League Soccer is collaborating with U.S. Youth Soccer to identify top players while also giving children from underserved communities an opportunity to showcase their talents without costly travel.
MLS and soccer’s largest youth organization on Friday announced a new regional competition model that they say will allow boys and girls to be seen and scouted, regardless of their location or financial resources. MLS will absorb all the expenses for players attending and participating in regional competitions at certain age levels.