IOC & Tokyo 2020 Agree to Deliver Games Fit for a Post-Corona World
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The IOC Coordination Commission and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee agreed on a series of measures to make the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 fit for a post-corona world.
Developed in response to the postponement of this year’s Games due to the coronavirus pandemic, over 50 measures have been designed to maximize cost savings and increase efficiencies in Games delivery.
In his opening remarks to the meeting participants, IOC President Thomas Bach acknowledged the outstanding progress being made by Tokyo 2020, reinforcing his belief that next year’s Olympic Games will be the best prepared ever. He also emphasized that the coming months will require flexibility and creativity from everyone involved as the Tokyo organizers deliver Games fit for a post-corona world. In doing so, the IOC President offered his gratitude to all stakeholders, who are fully aligned with the measures being envisaged.
Today’s meeting provided the Coordination Commission with the opportunity to review the current list of measures, with more opportunities to be identified in the lead-up to the Games. These have been split into four main categories: stakeholders; infrastructure; promotion; and other areas of interest.
Examples of the initial measures include the reduction of stakeholder personnel attending the Games, streamlining transport services, adjusting spectator activities at competition venues and hosting a number of pre-Games meetings online.
Speaking after the meeting, Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission Chair John Coates said: “Built from the principles outlined by the Joint IOC and Tokyo 2020 Steering Committee, these optimizations and simplifications mark an important step towards delivering a safe and successful Games in 2021. We owe it to the public to enact these measures during these challenging times, that’s why we’ve left no stone unturned and will continue to look for further opportunities over the coming months. The unique task of reorganizing an Olympic Games has called for the Olympic Movement to be stronger together – this milestone illustrates our collective commitment. The ‘Tokyo Model’ will not only deliver a Games fit for a post-corona world, it will become a blueprint that will benefit future Organising Committees for many years to come.”
Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshiro added: “Considering the current state of the world, we have been discussing how we will be able to deliver a safe and secure Games that can win public understanding in these challenging times. After we established a broader direction that the Games in 2021 should be simplified, we have been working closely together with the IOC, the IPC and various stakeholders such as IFs, NOCs, NPCs, partners and broadcasters, in every possible area that can contribute to simplifications. This process will benefit future society – becoming a role model for future global events as people adapt to living in the new normal. We will make all efforts to ensure that in the future the Tokyo 2020 Games will be a legacy. We will continue to work hard on simplifications towards next year and ask for the continued cooperation of all those involved in the Games.”
The measures were developed with support from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Tokyo 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and the Government of Japan. Important input was also obtained from key Olympic stakeholder groups, including National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, International Federations, Rights-Holding Broadcasters, media and TOP Partners.
With these measures now agreed, Tokyo 2020 will start estimating the provisional cost-savings that can be achieved, with a view to providing an update at the IOC Executive Board meeting in October.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Olympics Only Event to
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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has claimed the Olympic Games is the only event to "bring the entire world together" in an address given to mark International Day of Peace.
International Day of Peace is to be celebrated around the world today, with Bach discussing "the unifying power of sport" in a video message.
"Sport contributes to peace by unifying people," he said.
"The Olympic Games today are the only event in our world which manages to really bring the entire world together.
"Athletes come to the Olympic Games respecting the same rules, all being equal, without any discrimination."
The postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, now set to take place in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, has recently been used as a symbol of hope - although the IOC has also been subjected to criticism from some quarters over its stance on issues of human rights and athlete activism.
Bach repeated this sentiment of Tokyo 2020 being a beacon of hope in his message.
"This post-coronavirus world will be very different from the one we used to live in," he said.
"And I hope that we all have learned from this crisis that we need more solidarity, within societies and among societies.
"Only in this joint effort can we overcome this crisis and prevent a new crisis.
"The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, which have been postponed to 2021, will send a message of hope, of peace and unity of humanity."
Sunday, September 20, 2020
CACSO Organization Renamed Centro Caribe Sports
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The Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization have announced it will be renamed as Centro Caribe Sports as part of the revamping of the body.
The decision to approve the name change and launch a new logo was made at the organization’s Extraordinary General Assembly.
Centro Caribe Sports President Luis Mejía Oviedo said the decisions meant "a new stage for Central American and Caribbean sports has begun."
"Since I decided to assume the Presidency of this organization I have continued to assure everyone that my number one objective was the integration and union of all the members and the renewal of our organization towards a modern and avant-garde entity," Oviedo said.
"Today you are making history by approving this brand change to be able to re-launch Centro Caribe Sports."
The name change was made to stop the organization from having two names, one in English and the other in Spanish.
The name Centro Caribe Sports is viewed as being understandable in any language.
Centro Caribe Sports also revealed a multi-colored logo, which is claimed to include colors of all the flags of the countries and associate members that make up the body based on the same theme as the Olympic rings.
The organization says the logo represents the integration of all members in Centro Caribe Sports.
The new identity was presented by Felipe Vicini and Manuel Luna, the President and a member of the Marketing and Communications Commission respectively.
A total of 37 countries and associate members participated in the Extraordinary General Assembly, which was held virtually through Zoom.
The organization is currently seeking a new host for the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Panama withdrew from hosting the Games on July 24th, with the COVID-19 pandemic cited as the reason behind the decision.
Friday, September 18, 2020
70th FIFA Congress LIVE
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The 70th FIFA Congress, which is being held as an online event from Zurich, Switzerland.
Bermuda is represented by Bermuda Football Association President Mark Wade.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino again defended his meetings with Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber at the worldwide governing body’s virtual Congress.
Criminal proceedings were opened against Infantino in Switzerland in July over dealings with Lauber.
The case centers on undocumented meetings that Lauber and Infantino are alleged to have held in 2016 and 2017.
Infantino was cleared of any wrongdoing by FIFA’s Ethics Commission, which launched and closed a preliminary investigation into the meetings.
He has claimed the meetings with Lauber "were in no way secret and most certainly not illegal", and said he was seeking to assist authorities with investigating past wrongdoings at FIFA.
Infantino cited his recent meeting with United States Attorney General William Barr as an example, claiming he used the opportunity to personally thank the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for their efforts to combat corruption in football.
The Swiss official said meetings with authorities show attempts from the "new FIFA" to deal with the past.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
FIFA Announce New Gold Cup Dates
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FIFA, the world's governing body for football, has announced that the 16th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup will take place from July 10th to August 1st, 2021.
No venue has been confirmed for the 2021 edition, with Mexico expected to defend their crown. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held from July 2nd – 25th, 2021, but it has been pushed back due to fixture congestion, arising out of the global coronavirus pandemic.
According to a Reuters report, FIFA has confirmed a new window for international matches in January 2022, with World Cup qualifying fixtures piling up due to the covid19.
The window, which will apply to all continents (excluding Europe), was ratified by the decision-making FIFA Council on Thursday.
Recently, FIFA said that CONCACAF qualifiers, which were carded to start in September, will kick off in March 2021.
