Tokyo 2020 updates IOC EB with 44 days to go

With this summer’s Games set to begin in only 44 days, Tokyo 2020 re-emphasised to the IOC EB its determination to safeguard the health of those involved in the Games, together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Government of Japan.

The Tokyo 2020 report came shortly after the conclusion of several test events held in Tokyo, which received encouraging feedback from both athletes and their teams. Many of the measures tested during these events are detailed in the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks - guidelines developed for key stakeholder groups to follow during Games time. Based on the latest scientific expertise from across the world, and with input from the All Partners Task Force, Tokyo 2020 explained that the third and final edition of the Playbooks will be published within the next couple of weeks.

The focus on health and safety was further emphasised in Tokyo 2020’s report, as it acknowledged the IOC’s offer to provide additional medical personnel from overseas to support efforts during the Games. The IOC has already identified doctors from all around the world who are ready to support Tokyo 2020.

The progress being made towards vaccinations was also highlighted. With 75 per cent of Olympic and Paralympic Village residents already vaccinated or due to be vaccinated, this figure is set to rise to over 80 per cent by Games time. On this topic, the Organising Committee thanked the IOC for its support in obtaining a donation of 20,000 vaccinations from Pfizer/BioNTech for local competition judges and staff who will be in frequent contact with athletes, further strengthening protection measures ahead of the Games.

Tokyo 2020 also recently welcomed the arrival of the first overseas athletes - the Australian women’s softball team, who touched down for their pre-Games training camp on 1 June. Shortly afterwards, on 3 June, the Organising Committee marked 50 days to go until the Games begin with an event that revealed various elements of the victory ceremonies.

As progress towards the Opening Ceremony on 23 July accelerates, the Organising Committee reported that staff are now beginning to move into Games-time venues, another indication of their readiness as they put into place their Games-time structure. 

In addition to today’s updates on the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, the IOC EB also received reports from the Organising Committees of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Beijing 2022 reported that it was focused on delivering safe and secure Games, which was highlighted through the establishment of an international working group that focuses on COVID-19 prevention and control. They noted that all competition venues are now ready, and non-competition venues are due to be completed later this year.

As part of their readiness preparations, recent snow and ice sports test events were held at these venues between February and April. Looking ahead, Beijing 2022 explained that 10 international test events and three international training weeks will also be held from September to December this year.

Finally, the IOC EB received an update on the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, which summarised all the key discussions from the recent Coordination Commission meeting.

This included Paris 2024’s sustainability efforts as it aims to stage the first Olympic and Paralympic Games to contribute positively to the climate. This is closely linked to the optimisation of Paris 2024’s Games delivery approach. The progress being made with commercial partners and the success of its ongoing engagement activities, which have already reached millions across France through physical and online events, were also detailed. In addition, the recent announcement of “On Location” as the global hospitality provider from Paris 2024 through to LA28 was highlighted.