IOC, Tokyo Olympic organisers agree to simplified games

Organisers of the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 said Wednesday they have agreed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to hold a "simplified" games next summer to ensure safety from the coronavirus and reduce the financial impact of the one-year delay.

Speaking at a press conference following an online meeting of the IOC executive board, Tokyo Olympic organising committee President Yoshiro Mori and CEO Toshiro Muto said the IOC and local organisers had identified 200 items to simplify the games but avoided going into detail.

Muto was specific about the top priority, however, saying countermeasures to ensure safety against the coronavirus was "the biggest challenge", Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

He also said organisers would consider reducing the number of people involved in the games -- other than athletes and spectators -- with IOC officials and representatives from national sporting bodies likely to be among those cut.

The CEO also confirmed that the Olympic torch relay was among the 200 items under review. Under a road map to the games released by the organisers, the Japanese leg of the relay is set to take between next March and July.

The IOC is considering rationalising many aspects of the games, including venues and transportation. It has told the sports federations it will confirm the venues and the competition schedule by this summer.

Japanese government sources last week said a reduction in the number of spectators and scaling back of the opening and closing ceremonies were among the steps being considered.

-- BERNAMA