Uncertainty, questions surround delayed Tokyo Games

TOKYO — About 80% of the facilities needed for next year’s postponed Tokyo Olympics have been lined up, the president of the organizing committee said Friday.

But two of the largest venues have not yet been secured.

“For a significant number of facilities, about 80% of them, we have already gained basic approval for their use next year,” Yoshiro Mori said, speaking at an executive board meeting of the organizing committee. “However, there are also venues that already have reservations for other users next year.”

Organizers are still working to secure the 5,000-apartment Athletes Village and the Tokyo Big Sight, a hulking convention center on Tokyo Bay that will be used as the main media center. They have said they are optimistic but work remains.

Pierre Ducrey, the Olympic Games operations director, has called the Athletes Village “problem No. 1.”

Organizers have spoken for weeks about “simplifying” next year’s Olympics to save money because of the delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But neither Mori nor CEO Toshiro Muto offered details on Friday, and nothing on what the delay will cost and who will pay.

Muto has mentioned “200” targets for downsizing, but offered no names.

The cost of the delay in Japan is estimated at $2 billion to $6 billion, with Japanese taxpayers picking up most of the bills. The International Olympic Committee has said it will chip in $650 million, but has not offered specifics.

Other unknowns: Will fans be allowed, will tickets be refunded, will there be a vaccine, and will 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes face quarantines? Organizers say it could be many months before the complete outline of the Olympics is clear.

The Tokyo Games are set to open July 23, 2021.

“There is much uncertainty and various observations on what the coronavirus situation will be next summer,” Mori said. “It is too early to speculate and discuss at this point.

“Taking into consideration the new situation economically, socially and medically, we believe that a safe, secure and simple games is the way to go for Tokyo 2020,” Mori added. “While this is what I say now, it may well be the case that by next summer we could be asked for something festive. But at the current moment, in our preparations, we need to take into consideration whether an overly celebratory event will be widely accepted.”

Muto acknowledged uncertainly remains. Will the Olympics really happen amid the worldwide pandemic? He said sponsors must be convinced.

“I don’t think there is anyone that can really promise that the Olympics and Paralympics will be held in 2021 for sure — 100% in any circumstance,” Muto said. “But the fact we can show our commitment and dedication in making sure that we can somehow open the Olympics is something we can do as an organizing committee and as Japan. That is something that can be conveyed to the sponsors.”

The Associated Press