Tokyo 2020 & COVID-19; News, links and press releases

Update: 09-07-2020 10:09 GMT

 

Latest news


IOC: All information about the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and COVID-19
IPC: Information for Para athletes and IPC members regarding coronavirus (updated weekly)
Athlete 365: Coronovirus advice for athletes

 

Index press releases


July 9, 2020 / IPC; IPC Board discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic
June 10, 2020 / IOC; Tokyo 2020 presents positioning, principles for re-planning, and a roadmap to the Games in 2021 to IOC Executive Board
April 16, 2020 / IOC; IOC and Tokyo 2020 Joint Statement – Framework for Preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Following their Postponement to 2021
March 31, 2020 / IOC AC; IOC Athletes’ Commission Statement
March 30, 2020 / IOC; IOC, IPC, Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Tokyo Metropolitan Government announce new dates for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020
March 24, 2020 / IOC AC; IOC Athletes’ Commission Statement
March 24, 2020 / IPC; IPC reaction: Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games postponed
March 24, 2020 / IOC; Joint Statement from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee
March 23, 2020 / TOCOG; Tokyo 2020 statement regarding IOC Executive Board announcement
March 22, 2020 / IPC; IPC support IOC decision over Tokyo 2020
March 22, 2020 / IOC; Health and safety paramount as IOC Executive Board agrees to step up scenario-planning for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
March 17, 2020 / IOC; Communique from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
March 3, 2020 / IOC; IOC Executive Board statement on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

 

July 9, 2020 / IPC
IPC Board discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic


During four days of meetings that were held virtually and concluded on Wednesday (8 July), the IPC Governing Board discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the Paralympic Movement, including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

On Tuesday (7 July), the Board endorsed the positioning, principles for re-planning, and a roadmap to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games following a video conference presentation by Yukihiko Nunomura, Tokyo 2020 Vice Director General and Chief Operating Officer.

Tokyo 2020’s positioning document highlighted the Organising Committee’s commitment for the Paralympics in 2021 to be a global celebration of human endeavour, resilience and hope. With athletes and sports placed at the heart of the Games, Tokyo 2020 believe the Paralympics will be a spectacular showcase of sport with Para athletes entertaining the world and advancing a more inclusive world.

Following an audit of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and International Federations regarding classification requirements ahead of Tokyo 2020, Gen Duff, the IPC’s Acting Classification Director, presented the Board a range of strategic proposals based on scenarios relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and likely sport calendar. Further membership updates will be provided on this in due course.

The Board was also informed that due to the postponement of Tokyo 2020, the IPC Athletes’ Council elections were postponed until August 2021. As a result, members whose term would have ended in August 2020 have had them extended by a further 12 months until next year’s elections.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “The 85th IPC Governing Board meeting was the first time in the IPC’s history that the members could not meet in person. Much of the meeting was dominated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic not just on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, but across the IPC and wider Paralympic Movement.

“The Tokyo 2020 presentation was reassuring and gave the Board confidence about the measures the Organising Committee is taking to re-plan the Paralympic Games next summer. Classification ahead of the Games is clearly going to be a challenge for everyone due to the uncertainty of the sporting calendar, but the IPC management team is planning for multiple scenarios and proposing a range of solutions.”

PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ON THE IPC
The IPC Governing Board was updated by the Mike Peters, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer, on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had so far on the IPC, including its finances.

Members of the IPC Management Team will continue to work remotely until at least 1 August 2020 and, since 1 July 2020, 19 staff members have taken furlough due to a decrease in their day-to-day workload.

Following the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the IPC Governing Board approved an updated and balanced budget for 2020. This included savings of EUR 1.7 million that had been made by operational departments. Framework budgets for 2021 and 2022 which highlighted the impact the pandemic could have on the IPC’s finance over the coming years, were also presented.

IWBF
The Board was informed of the progress the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is making in conducting eligibility assessments of all 4.0 and 4.5 sport class players ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Such assessments are part of an IPC approved action plan the IWBF is following after it was found to be non-compliant with the 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code.

IPC ATHLETE’S COUNCIL
IPC Athlete’s Council Chairperson Chelsey Gotell provided a comprehensive update of the group’s activities, highlighting key progress made in terms of implementing its Strategic Plan. This has included improved two-way communication between the IPC and athlete representatives and the development of an athlete leadership programme.

The Board were informed that Elvira Stinissen, the Vice-Chairperson of the Athlete’s Council, had resigned due to personal reasons, and a successor would be appointed in due course. The Board placed on record their gratitude to Stinissen who had served the Council since 2012.

Gotell also stated the Athletes’ Council’s intention over the coming months to host a series of focus groups giving athletes the opportunity to present thoughts and solutions on how they can share their views on topics of interest to them during the Paralympic Games.

GOVERNANCE REVIEW
On the final day of the meeting, IPC Vice President Duane Kale presented key findings and feedback from IPC members on the IPC Governance Review reform proposal “Remaining Fit for Purpose” which was first published in October 2019.

Following feedback from IPC members and further Board consultation, the IPC will publish an updated governance review proposal later this year, highlighting all updates. A further round of consultation will then take place with the IPC membership.

Some elements of the IPC Governance Review will be put forward to vote on at the 2021 IPC General Assembly, while matters that relate to Governing Board composition and membership will be put back to the 2022 IPC Membership Gathering due to 2021 being an election year.

As part of the IPC Governance Review, the IPC Governing Board also approved a proposed framework for negotiations with the World Dance Sport Federation concerning the transfer of governance of World Para Dance Sport.

The 85th Governing Board meeting marked the first time in the IPC’s 30-year history that it had been unable to meet in person. Following the meeting, Parsons will host a series of calls over the coming days with IPC members and athlete representatives to inform them of the key outcomes from the meeting.

 

Back to top

 

June 10, 2020 / IOC
IOC and Tokyo 2020 Joint Statement – Framework for Preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Following their Postponement to 2021


The International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Executive Board (EB) today received updates on the planning and preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. A key element of the presentation was Tokyo 2020 sharing the positioning, principles for re-planning, and a roadmap to the Games in 2021.

The Tokyo 2020 report was delivered by the Organising Committee’s President, Yoshiro Mori, and its CEO, Toshiro Muto, while IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates reported on behalf of the “Here we go” Task Force. The Tokyo update focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these Games. Numerous actions have been undertaken since the postponement decision, with new dates being finalised by the end of March and a Joint Steering Committee created. Work has also started on looking at opportunities to optimise and streamline the Games’ scope and service levels, in order to reduce the impacts that have been caused by the postponement.

In particular, the positioning, principles for re-planning, and a roadmap to the Games in 2021 were highlighted and agreed to by the IOC EB. The positioning and principles put the athletes and sport at the centre of the plans for Tokyo 2020, and address the desire to simplify and optimise Games preparations and delivery. The roadmap outlines the key activities, initiatives and milestones up until Games time in 2021.

Both the Tokyo 2020 team and the IOC EB acknowledged that much of this progress can be attributed to the positive relationship between Tokyo 2020, the IOC and the Olympic Movement stakeholders – especially the International Federations, the National Olympic Committees, partners and broadcasters.

 

Back to top

 

April 16, 2020 / IOC
IOC and Tokyo 2020 Joint Statement – Framework for Preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Following their Postponement to 2021


The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) met today for an Executive Project Review via teleconference.

IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi joined Tokyo 2020 President MORI Yoshiro and CEO MUTO Toshiro for the meeting. During the productive discussion, Tokyo 2020 and the IOC agreed on the following framework, that will govern preparations for the postponed Games:

 

Governance

  • The process to deliver the Games in 2021 is overseen by a Joint Steering Committee which is led by IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates and Tokyo 2020 President MORI Yoshiro. The Committee will include Tokyo 2020 CEO MUTO Toshiro and IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi.
  • The meetings of the Joint Steering Committee will be held whenever necessary, in order to ensure permanent coordination and efficient decision-making.
  • Supporting this Joint Steering Committee, Tokyo 2020 and the IOC will each have their own respective task forces: the “Here we go” Task Force on the IOC side, and the “New Launch” Task Force on the Tokyo 2020 side.

 

Principles

  • The key elements of the planning for 2021 should replicate the existing Games Delivery Plan for 2020. Particular focus will be placed on the venues and the competition schedule, which were originally agreed by all stakeholders as the best plan for the 2020 edition. On this basis, the Japanese side including Tokyo 2020 will request that each planned venue owner organises the Games according to this schedule on the new dates in 2021. The Japanese side will also seek understanding for these preparations.
  • On the basis of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and all Olympic and Paralympic Movement stakeholders, in conjunction with Japanese side including the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, will explore all opportunities to optimise and streamline the scope and service levels at the Games, and reduce the costs that have been caused by the postponement. The IOC and the Japanese side, including the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, will continue to assess and discuss jointly about the respective impacts caused by the postponement.
  • A number of measures addressing the potential impact of COVID-19 will be incorporated into the Games Delivery Plan for the Games in 2021.

 

Timeline

  • The details of planning for Tokyo 2020 in 2021 are being examined this month with a view to establishing a new roadmap for the Games by May 2020, in order to then align resources and priorities accordingly.

 

Speaking after the meeting, IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates said, “Since the postponement of Tokyo 2020 to 2021 was agreed a few weeks ago, the strong spirit of collaboration between the IOC, the IPC, the Olympic Movement, Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese authorities has already allowed us to bring some clarity and certainty to athletes, fans and stakeholders around the world. The principles outlined today will allow us to continue in this spirit, and to answer the many questions that remain, in as efficient a manner as possible.

We believe that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times, and that the Olympic flame can be the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present. The Joint Steering Committee will give its all to ensure that this is the case.”

Tokyo 2020 President MORI Yoshiro commented, “Soon after the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games on 24 March 2020, Tokyo 2020 established a ‘New Launch’ Task Force on 26 March and we have been working since then to create a structure capable of overcoming these unprecedented challenges. We believe that today’s new step is an important achievement in advancing over the coming year what we have prepared over the past five to six years. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the success of the Games.”

 

Back to top

 

March 31, 2020 / IOC AC
IOC Athletes’ Commission Statement


The IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) welcomes and supports the new dates agreed by the IOC, the IPC and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad to be celebrated from 23 July to 8 August 2021, and for the Paralympic Games to be celebrated from 24 August to 5 September 2021.

We have been engaging with and actively collecting feedback from the athlete community every day. We have listened to your concerns and challenges in these uncertain times. We have regularly kept the IOC informed, made suggestions and been part of the decision-making at the highest level through our Chair.

In this respect, we encourage all athletes and athlete representatives to continue to share your feedback with us (directly in our app or through athlete365@olympic.org) and ask any questions you might have, as we strive to represent and support you in the best way we can.

We believe the confirmation of the new dates will give you much-needed certainty and allow you to focus on your health and safety, as well as the health of the wider community. Additionally, having the Games in the summer period maximises the opportunity for all athletes, regardless of their country, to have the best possible preparation ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

We also very much welcome the confirmation from the IOC that:

1. Athletes who have already qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will remain qualified, and their quota places remain secured.
2. All Olympic Solidarity programmes related to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be extended into 2021. It is important to note that more than 1,600 athletes from 185 NOCs have benefited from these scholarships.
3. The heat countermeasures agreed and tested between the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the IOC and the International Federations (IFs) to protect athletes from heat and adverse weather conditions will be fully replicated in 2021.

As announced in our last statement, we have increased our resources on the Athlete365 platform to better support you in these difficult times.

We remain committed to:

1. Updating you on any further developments regarding the Games and qualification systems; and
2. Enhancing the resources and information available to you on Athlete365, including advice on athlete training and preparation, and mental and physical health; and anti-doping information and updates from the IFs, WADA and the ITA.

We also want to thank the International Federations for their flexibility and support, along with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the Japanese Government for making the new dates possible.

We know so many of you are facing an incredibly challenging time, both with your personal and sporting lives. We believe that, when we all come together in 2021, it will be an extra-special celebration of sport and humanity uniting after such a difficult time for all.

Stay Strong, Stay Safe, Stay Healthy

The IOC Athletes’ Commission

 

Back to top

 

March 30, 2020 / IOC
IOC, IPC, Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Tokyo Metropolitan Government announce new dates for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020


The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan today agreed new dates for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, in 2021. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be celebrated from 23 July to 8 August 2021. They also agreed on new dates for the Paralympic Games, which will be celebrated from 24 August until 5 September 2021.

The leaderships of the key parties came together via telephone conference earlier today, joined by IOC President Thomas Bach, Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshirō, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko and Olympic and Paralympic Minister Hashimoto Seiko, and agreed on the new schedule.

This decision was taken based on three main considerations and in line with the principles established by the IOC Executive Board (EB) on 17 March 2020 and confirmed at its meeting today. These were supported by all the International Summer Olympic Sports Federations (IFs) and all the National Olympic Committees (NOCs):

1. To protect the health of the athletes and everyone involved, and to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
2. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport.
3. The global international sports calendar.

These new dates give the health authorities and all involved in the organisation of the Games the maximum time to deal with the constantly changing landscape and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates, exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020 (Olympic Games: 24 July to 9 August 2020 and Paralympic Games: 25 August to 6 September 2020), also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum, in the interests of the athletes and the IFs. Additionally, they will provide sufficient time to finish the qualification process. The same heat mitigation measures as planned for 2020 will be implemented.

In a call on Tuesday 24 March 2020, based on information provided by the WHO at the time, IOC President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzō concluded that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 would be held in their complete form and not later than summer 2021. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government of Japan stands ready to fulfil its responsibility for hosting these successful Games. At the same time, IOC President Thomas Bach stressed the full commitment of the IOC to successful Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Following today’s decision, the IOC President said: “I want to thank the International Federations for their unanimous support and the Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees for the great partnership and their support in the consultation process over the last few days. I would also like to thank the IOC Athletes’ Commission, with whom we have been in constant contact. With this announcement, I am confident that, working together with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japanese Government and all our stakeholders, we can master this unprecedented challenge. Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel.”

Andrew Parsons, the President of the IPC, commented: “It is fantastic news that we could find new dates so quickly for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The new dates provide certainty for the athletes, reassurance for the stakeholders and something to look forward to for the whole world. When the Paralympic Games do take place in Tokyo next year, they will be an extra-special display of humanity uniting as one, a global celebration of human resilience and a sensational showcase of sport. With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 512 days away, the priority for all those involved in the Paralympic Movement must be to focus on staying safe with their friends and family during this unprecedented and difficult time.”

The President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, Mori Yoshirō, said: “IOC President Thomas Bach and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee held a conference call today to discuss in detail the revised dates of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Hashimoto Seiko and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko joined the call. I proposed that the Games should be hosted between July and August 2021, and I really appreciate that President Bach, having discussed this proposal with the various international sports federations and other related organisations, kindly accepted my proposal. A certain amount of time is required for the selection and qualification of athletes and for their training and preparation, and the consensus was that staging the rescheduled Games during the summer vacation in Japan would be preferable. In terms of transport, arranging volunteers and the provision of tickets for those in Japan and overseas, as well as allowing for the COVID-19 situation, we think that it would be better to reschedule the Games to one year later than planned, in the summer of 2021. Notwithstanding the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time in history, and various other issues that have already been highlighted, the event schedule is the cornerstone of future preparations, and I am convinced that taking this decision promptly will help speed up future preparations. I would like to thank all the stakeholders, including the host city Tokyo and the Government of Japan, for their hard work during this short period. The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will continue to work hard for the success of next year’s Games.”

Governor Koike Yuriko said: “In consideration of the global coronavirus outbreak, we need a certain timeframe before we fully prepare for the delivery of Games that are safe and secure for the athletes and spectators. Also, the preparation for the new dates will go smoothly, as the dates match with same timeframe as the original competition dates, corresponding with ticketing, venue staffing, volunteers and transport. Therefore, I believe that celebrating the opening of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on 23 July 2021 is ideal. The athletes, volunteers, torchbearers and local municipality governments have been concerned about the situation. Since we now have concrete new dates to aim for, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will commit all its resources, and work closely with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the national government and other stakeholders to fully prepare for the delivery of Games that are safe and secure.”

It has previously been confirmed that all athletes already qualified and quota places already assigned for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will remain unchanged. This is a result of the fact that these Olympic Games Tokyo , in agreement with Japan, will remain the Games of the XXXII Olympiad.

 

Back to top

 

March 24, 2020 / IOC AC
IOC Athletes’ Commission Statement


The IOC Athletes’ Commission welcomes and fully supports the IOC’s decision to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 until 2021 in order to protect the health of the athletes, as well as wider society.

In recent days and weeks, we have engaged with numerous athlete representatives and the wider athlete community to hear your feedback and the challenges that you are facing due to the impact of COVID-19. We want to take this opportunity to thank you for openly and transparently sharing with us the difficulties that you have been facing and continue to face in these extraordinary circumstances.

The IOC AC held a virtual meeting yesterday to discuss this feedback and inform the IOC. In this respect, we are confident that today’s decision by the IOC is also fully supported by the athlete community.

While you have more clarity now regarding your preparation for the Olympic Games, we encourage you to continue to provide us with your feedback and, very importantly, look after your health, as well as the health of your family and continue to support and be a role model to your community.

On our side, we will continue to:

1. Update you on any further developments regarding the Games and qualification systems;
2. Enhance the resources and information available to you on Athlete365, including advice on athlete training and preparation, mental and physical health, and anti-doping information and updates from WADA and the ITA.

We encourage all athletes and athlete representatives to continue to share their feedback with us (directly in our app or through athlete365@olympic.org) and ask any questions you might have, as we strive to support you in the best way we can, as we go through this exceptional situation together.

Stay Strong, Stay Safe, Stay Healthy

The IOC Athletes’ Commission

 

Back to top

 

March 24, 2020 / IPC
IPC reaction: Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games postponed


Following the decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons gave the following reaction:

“Postponing the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak is absolutely the right thing to do. The health and well-being of human life must always be our number one priority and staging a sport event of any kind during this pandemic is simply not possible.

“Sport is not the most important thing right now, preserving human life is. It is essential therefore that all steps are taken to try and limit the spread of this disease.

“The COVID-19 outbreak is now impacting nearly every country in the world and the number of known cases has increased almost five times over in the last 10 days to 375,000.

“At a time when many major communities around the world are in lockdown, with workplaces and shops closed and people urged not to leave their own homes, continuing to pursue the dream of the Tokyo 2020 Games happening this year does not make sense; postponement is the only logical option.

“By taking this decision now, everyone involved in the Paralympic Movement, including all Para athletes, can fully focus on their own health and well-being and staying safe during this unprecedented and difficult time.

“When the Paralympic Games do happen in Tokyo next year, they will be a spectacular global celebration of humanity coming together again as one.

“In the meantime, we will liaise and work closely with our athlete community, National Paralympic Committees and International Federation impacted by this postponement.”

 

Back to top

 

March 24, 2020 / IOC
Joint Statement from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee


The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo, held a conference call this morning to discuss the constantly changing environment with regard to COVID-19 and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

They were joined by Mori Yoshiro, the President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee; the Olympic Minister, Hashimoto Seiko; the Governor of Tokyo, Koike Yuriko; the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, John Coates; IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper; and the IOC Olympic Games Executive Director, Christophe Dubi.

President Bach and Prime Minister Abe expressed their shared concern about the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and what it is doing to people’s lives and the significant impact it is having on global athletes’ preparations for the Games.

In a very friendly and constructive meeting, the two leaders praised the work of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and noted the great progress being made in Japan to fight against COVID-19.

The unprecedented and unpredictable spread of the outbreak has seen the situation in the rest of the world deteriorating. Yesterday, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the COVID-19 pandemic is “accelerating”. There are more than 375,000 cases now recorded worldwide and in nearly every country, and their number is growing by the hour.

In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.

The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present. Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

 

Back to top

 

March 23, 2020 / TOCOG
Tokyo 2020 statement regarding IOC Executive Board announcement


While there are currently no regions in Japan where a widespread COVID-19 infection has been confirmed, qualifying events for the Tokyo 2020 Games have been disrupted worldwide by the spread of the infection in many countries. A number of athletes and National Olympic Committees have also stated that they are unable to continue training in this environment, and this unprecedented situation has been a cause of great concern to us.

In light of this situation, Tokyo 2020 held an urgent video conference with IOC President Bach last night, during which we agreed to proceed with detailed discussions of different scenarios, including postponement of the Games, in full coordination with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Government of Japan, relevant Japanese authorities, international sport federations and National Olympic Committees.

As the IOC has stated, due to the extreme complexity of the Games, a final decision has not been reached at this time, and discussions will be finalised within the next four weeks. Cancellation of the Tokyo 2020 Games is not on the agenda.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this crisis, and we will continue to prioritise the safety of athletes, spectators and all other Games participants. As we closely monitor infection trends, we will dedicate ourselves to examining detailed plans for different scenarios, including opening the Games on 24 July, in accordance with the agreement reached yesterday with the IOC. We will continue to work closely with all relevant organisations in order to meet the expectations of the athletes who have been training day and night and the fans who have been looking forward to the Games for so long.

As we seek to address this unique situation, close coordination with many partners, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Government of Japan, Tokyo 2020 marketing partners, broadcasters, suppliers and contractors, will be essential. We must be more united than ever in our response. Regardless, what is important now is that the world come together to overcome this crisis. As President Bach stated, “[we] wish that… the Olympic flame will be a light at the end of this tunnel.” We will therefore exert every possible effort to overcome this challenge and deliver the Games.

 

Back to top

 

March 22, 2020 / IPC
IPC support IOC decision over Tokyo 2020


‘The next four weeks will provide time to see if the global health situation improves, while giving a window of opportunity to look into different scenarios should the dates of the Games need to be changed’

To safeguard the health of all involved and to contribute to the containment of COVID-19, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today (22 March) announced it will assess the current global health situation and its impact on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the scenario of postponement.

Following the announcement, IPC President Andrew Parsons gave the following reaction:

“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.

“Human life is much more important than anything at all, and currently it is vital that everyone, including athletes, stay at home to help prevent the further spread of this horrible disease which is impacting the global community.

“In relation to the Games, the health and well-being of every single person attending is the number one priority and taking this decision is absolutely the right thing to do, considering the unprecedented situation we currently face.

“The next four weeks will provide time to see if the global health situation improves, while giving a window of opportunity to look into different scenarios should the dates of the Games need to be changed.

“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.”

 

Back to top

 

March 22, 2020 / IOC
Health and safety paramount as IOC Executive Board agrees to step up scenario-planning for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020


To safeguard the health of all involved and to contribute to the containment of COVID-19, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that the IOC will step up its scenario-planning for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

These scenarios relate to modifying existing operational plans for the Games to go ahead on 24 July 2020, and also for changes to the start date of the Games. This step will allow better visibility of the rapidly changing development of the health situation around the world and in Japan. It will serve as the basis for the best decision in the interest of the athletes and everyone else involved.

On the one hand, there are significant improvements in Japan where the people are warmly welcoming the Olympic flame. This could strengthen the IOC’s confidence in the Japanese hosts that the IOC could, with certain safety restrictions, organise Olympic Games in the country whilst respecting its principle of safeguarding the health of everyone involved.

On the other hand, there is a dramatic increase in cases and new outbreaks of COVID-19 in different countries on different continents. This led the EB to the conclusion that the IOC needs to take the next step in its scenario-planning.

A number of critical venues needed for the Games could potentially not be available anymore. The situations with millions of nights already booked in hotels is extremely difficult to handle, and the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports would have to be adapted. These are just a few of many, many more challenges.

Therefore, further to the study of different scenarios, it would need the full commitment and cooperation of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the Japanese authorities, and of all the International Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs). It would also require commitment from, and collaboration with, the Rights-Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) and our TOP Partner sponsors, as part of their continued and valued support to the Olympic Movement, as well as cooperation from all the Games’ partners, suppliers and contractors. It is in this spirit of the Olympic stakeholders’ shared commitment to the Olympic Games, and in light of the worldwide deteriorating situation, that the IOC EB has today initiated the next step in the IOC’s scenario-planning.

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. The IOC is confident that it will have finalised these discussions within the next four weeks, and greatly appreciates the solidarity and partnership of the NOCs and IFs in supporting the athletes and adapting Games planning.

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.

After the EB meeting, IOC President Thomas Bach today wrote to the global athlete community to provide them with an explanation of the IOC’s approach.

In the letter, Bach stated once more that safeguarding the health of everyone involved and contributing to contain the virus is the fundamental principle, and said: “Human lives take precedence over everything, including the staging of the Games. The IOC wants to be part of the solution. Therefore we have made it our leading principle to safeguard the health of everyone involved, and to contribute to containing the virus. I wish, and we all are working for this, that the hope so many athletes, NOCs and IFs from all five continents have expressed will be fulfilled: that at the end of this dark tunnel we are all going through together, not knowing how long it is, the Olympic flame will be a light at the end of this tunnel.”

 

Back to top

 

March 17, 2020 / IOC
Communique from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020


Preamble
Today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) continued its consultations with all the stakeholders of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The first took place with the International Olympic Summer Sports Federations. Those with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the athletes’ representatives, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), other International Federations (IFs) and other stakeholders will follow in the coming days.

This communique* sets out the principles established by the IOC Executive Board (EB), together with their implementation in cooperation with all the stakeholders concerned. The IOC will continue to act as a responsible organisation. In this context, the IOC asks all its stakeholders within their own remits to do everything to contribute to the containment of the virus.

Communique
This is an unprecedented situation for the whole world, and our thoughts are with all those affected by this crisis. We are in solidarity with the whole of society to do everything to contain the virus.

The situation around the COVID-19 virus is also impacting the preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and is changing day by day.

The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive.

The IOC encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as best they can. We will keep supporting the athletes by consulting with them and their respective NOCs, and by providing them with the latest information and developments, which are accessible for athletes worldwide on the Athlete365 website and via their respective NOCs and IFs.

The IOC has confidence that the many measures being taken by many authorities around the world will help contain the situation of the COVID-19 virus. In this context, the IOC welcomes the support of the G7 leaders as expressed by Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who said: “I want to hold the Olympics and Paralympics perfectly, as proof that the human race will conquer the new coronavirus, and I gained support for that from the G-7 leaders.”

We will continue to act in a responsible way and have agreed the following overriding principles about the staging of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020:

1. To protect the health of everyone involved and to support the containment of the virus.
2. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport.

The IOC will continue to monitor the situation 24/7. Already in mid-February, a task force was set up consisting of the IOC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Japanese authorities and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The purpose of the task force is to ensure coordinated actions by all stakeholders. It has the mission to keep a constant appraisal of the situation to form the basis for the ongoing operational planning and necessary adaptations. The task force also monitors the implementation of the various actions decided. The IOC will continue to follow the guidance of this task force. The IOC’s decision will not be determined by financial interests, because thanks to its risk management policies and insurance it will in any case be able to continue its operations and accomplish its mission to organise the Olympic Games.

A number of measures have been taken.

The format of all the test events in March and April has been altered to allow for the testing of essential Games elements; the lighting of the Olympic torch in Greece and subsequent elements of the Torch Relay in Japan are being adapted; the entire Games preparation supply chain has been analysed; and alternative plans are in place in the event of anticipated disruption.

At the same time, the topics and issues which were identified by the IOC Coordination Commission for the Games as priorities continue to retain the full attention of Tokyo 2020, the IOC and the Olympic stakeholders. In this respect, work is ongoing for the preparation of athletics road events in Sapporo; heat countermeasures continue to be detailed and refined on a sport-by-sport basis; and transport and crowd movement planning remain a key focus of attention.

Concerning the next meetings, especially the upcoming Coordination Commission visit and various project reviews, adjustments have been made to the agenda and participation. While the activities remain planned on the same dates, the participation in Tokyo will be reduced while ensuring the Coordination Commission members can attend the most important part of the meeting by teleconference. The same will be done for any subsequent visits until further notice.

The day-to-day work between all organisations continues, although on a remote basis.

Currently, all Olympic Movement stakeholders and the athletes face significant challenges around securing the final qualification places for the Games. In some countries, athletes are even finding it hard to continue their regular training schedules. The IOC is reassured by the solidarity and flexibility shown by the athletes, the IFs and the NOCs, that are managing these challenges across a number of sports.

To date, 57 per cent of the athletes are already qualified for the Games. For the remaining 43 per cent of places, the IOC will work with the IFs to make any necessary and practical adaptations to their respective qualification systems for Tokyo 2020, in line with the following principles:

1. All quota places that have already been allocated to date remain allocated to the NOCs and athletes that obtained them.
2. The possibility remains to use existing and scheduled qualification events, wherever these still have fair access for all athletes and teams.
3. All necessary adaptations to qualification systems and all allocation of remaining places will be:
a) based on on-field results (e.g. IF ranking or historical results); and
b) reflect where possible the existing principles of the respective qualification systems (e.g. use of rankings or continental/regional specific event results).

Any increase in athlete quotas will be considered on a case-by-case basis under exceptional circumstances, with the support of the Organising Committee Tokyo 2020.

The IFs will make proposals for any adaptations to their respective qualification systems based on the principles outlined above. The adaptations need to be implemented sport by sport because of the differences between qualification systems. The IOC has already put in place an accelerated procedure to solve this situation. Any necessary revisions to the Tokyo 2020 qualification systems by sport will be published by the beginning of April 2020 and communicated to all stakeholders.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The health and well-being of all those involved in the preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is our number-one concern. All measures are being taken to safeguard the safety and interests of athletes, coaches and support teams. We are an Olympic community; we support one another in good times and in difficult times. This Olympic solidarity defines us as a community.”

The President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), Francesco Ricci Bitti, added: “I would like to thank all those involved in the organisation of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and all the athletes and the International Federations for their great flexibility. We share the same approach and the same principles as the IOC, and we are as committed as the IOC to successful Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. We will keep in touch and have further consultations with all stakeholders concerned.”

After its consultations with the IFs, the IOC will follow up with the NOCs and the athletes’ representatives in the coming days.

* This communique was unanimously approved by the IOC EB and all Olympic Summer Sports Federations.

 

Back to top

 

March 3, 2020 / IOC
IOC Executive Board statement on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today expressed its full commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, taking place from 24 July to 9 August 2020.

The IOC EB heard a report on all the measures taken so far to address the coronavirus situation, which was followed by a comprehensive discussion.

A joint task force had already been created in mid-February, involving the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of Tokyo, the government of Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO). The IOC EB appreciates and supports the measures being taken, which constitute an important part of Tokyo’s plans to host safe and secure Games.

The IOC will continue to follow the advice of WHO, as the leading United Nations agency on this topic. The IOC EB expressed its thanks to WHO for its continued valuable advice and cooperation.

It also praised the great unity and solidarity of the athletes, National Olympic Committees, International Federations and governments. It welcomed their close collaboration and flexibility with regard to the preparations for the Games, and particularly the qualification events. All stakeholders continue to work closely together to address the challenges of the coronavirus.

The IOC EB encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The IOC will keep supporting the athletes by providing the latest information and developments, which are accessible for athletes worldwide on the Athlete365 website.

 

Back to top