IOC contingency plans encouraged
CONTINGENCY planning for a potential postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is being stepped up, the International Olympic Committee has announced.
The Games organiser continues to insist that “cancellation is not on the agenda”, in spite of the growing difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but accepts they could be moved to a new date.
This comes in response to the growing number of high-profile organisations and personalities calling for a postponement, including US Track and Field, the Spanish Football Federation and a number of individual athletes.
The IOC’s executive board will now increase its “scenario-planning” to look at the different possibilities. It intends to make decisions within four weeks.
A statement read: “The IOC will, in full coordination and partnership with the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Japanese authorities and the Tokyo metropolitan government, start detailed discussions to complete its assessment of the rapid development of the worldwide health situation and its impact on the Olympic Games, including the scenario of postponement.”
It added any decisions to alter the Games, which are due to begin in July, would impact on the “millions of nights already booked in hotels and the calendars of 33 sports”.
However, the IOC remains adamant that the Games will go ahead at some point.
The statement read: “The IOC EB emphasised that a cancellation of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 would not solve any of the problems or help anybody. Therefore, cancellation is not on the agenda.”
Olympic preparations for teams have been severely hampered by sporting shutdowns and social-distancing measures around the world.
The British Olympic Association has urged the IOC to act quickly and decisively.
Chairman Sir Hugh Robertson said: “We welcome the IOC executive board decision to review the options in respect of a postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. However, we urge rapid decision-making for the sake of athletes who still face significant uncertainty. Restrictions now in place have removed the ability of athletes to compete on a level playing field and it simply does not seem appropriate to continue on the present course towards the Olympic Games in the current environment.”
Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of UK Sport, feels the IOC has made the correct decision.
Grainger said: “Given the circumstances, today’s news that the IOC are looking at options to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was inevitable, and the correct decision for the safety of athletes, staff and fans.”
World Athletics has also welcomed the news. A statement read: “World Athletics welcomes discussions with the IOC to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We stand ready to work with the IOC and all sport on an alternative date.”
A date change would have a knock-on effect on the Paralympics. A statement from the International Paralympic Committee read: “The IPC and, I am certain, the whole Paralympic Movement, fully support the IOC’s decision to look into the potential scenarios regarding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including postponement.
“As you can imagine, potentially changing the dates of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a huge logistical challenge, and the IPC will support the IOC every step of the way.”
Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of Sport England, has praised the way UK governing bodies have responded to the crisis. He said: “I speak to the leaders of the governing bodies, every single one of them is making the absolutely correct difficult decision.”