Japan Details Simplification Plan Including 15% Reduction in Tokyo Olympic Officials Attendance

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, postponed to next year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), are expected to reduce the number of event officials excluding athletes by 10-15% from the original plan through event simplification measures.

According to the Tokyo Shimbun on the 25th, the organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have reviewed simplification plans to cut additional costs caused by the postponement and prepared measures to reduce expenses across a total of 52 items.

The organizing committee plans to analyze the specific cost-saving effects after reaching an agreement with the IOC Coordination Commission on the same day. The simplification measures prepared by the committee focus on three main areas: reduction of event officials and rationalization of guest services, adjustment of venue facilities and transportation conveniences, and minimization of events.

First, the organizing committee requested the International Sports Federations and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of each country to reduce the number of event officials excluding athletes, expecting their participation scale to decrease by 10-15% compared to the original plan. The opening ceremony of the IOC General Assembly, held in conjunction with the Olympics, will not be held. The food menu provided to IOC guests in the exclusive lounge will be simplified, and the welcoming event for IOC members just before the opening will be canceled.

They are considering moving meetings and various procedures for the athlete delegations online. Cleaning services in the Olympic Village will be reduced. Temporary spaces within venues will be downsized, and lighting facilities will be minimized as much as possible.

The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were originally scheduled to be held this summer, but as COVID-19 spread worldwide, a one-year postponement was confirmed in March. As a result, the Olympics and Paralympics will open on July 23 and August 24 next year, respectively. The organizing committee expects that the additional costs incurred due to the postponement of the Olympics will exceed 300 billion yen in total.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.