Tokyo Olympics head says 80% of facilities lined up for 2021

FILE.- In this May 12, 2020, file photo, a lone security guard stands at one of the venues for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The head of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, June 12, 2020, says that 80% of the facilities needed for next year’s games have “basic approval”to be used. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

TOKYO — About 80% of the facilities needed for next year’s postponed Tokyo Olympics have been lined up, the president of the organizing committee said Friday.

Two of the largest venues have not yet been secured, however.

“For a significant number of facilities, about 80% of them, we have already gained basic approval for their use next year,” Yoshiro Mori said, speaking at an executive board meeting of the organizing committee. “However, there are also venues that already have reservations for other users next year.”

Organizers are still working to secure the 5,000-apartment Athletes Village and the Tokyo Big Sight, a hulking convention center on Tokyo Bay that will be used as the main press center. They have said they are optimistic but work remains.

Pierre Ducrey, the Olympic Games operations director, has called the Athletes Village “problem No. 1.”

Organizers have spoken for weeks about “simplifying” next year’s Olympics to save money because of the delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But neither Mori nor CEO Toshiro Muto offered details on Friday, and nothing on what the delay will cost and who will pay.

Muto has mentioned “200” targets for downsizing, but offered on names.

The cost of the delay in Japan is estimated at $2 billion to $6 billion, with Japanese taxpayers picking up most of the bills. The International Olympic Committee has said it will chip in $650 million, but has not offered specifics.

Other unknowns: Will fans be allowed, will tickets be refunded, will there be a vaccine, and will 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes face quarantines? Organizers say it could be many months before the complete outline of the Olympics is clear.

The Tokyo Games are set to open on July 23, 2021.

“There is much uncertainty and various observations on what the coronavirus situation will be next summer,” Mori said. “It is too early to speculate and discuss at this point.

“Taking into consideration the new situation economically, socially and medically, we believe that a safe, secure and simple games is the way to go for Tokyo 2020,” Mori added. “While this is what I say now, it may well be the case that by next summer we could be asked for something festive. But at the current moment, in our preparations, we need to take into consideration whether an overly celebratory event will be widely accepted.”

Muto said athletes were not likely to face many of the cuts, with most in non-sports related fringe areas.

“I wouldn’t say (athletes) they are not subject to the simplification, but we will make sure we are very considerate about the athletes as we open discussions,” Muto said.

Muto said keeping sponsors was a priority. He said their contracts expire at the end of the year and more than half of them are undecided about continuing.

Tokyo has lined up $3.3 billion in local sponsorship revenue, at least twice as much as any previous Olympics. This makes up more than half the income for the privately funded operating budget of $5.6 billion.

“They (sponsors) do need to be able to see a commitment form our side that the games will be held next year,” Muto said.

He acknowledged uncertainly remains. Will the Olympics really happen amid the worldwide pandemic? He said sponsors must be convinced.

“I don’t think there is anyone that can really promise that the Olympics and Paralympics will be held in 2021 for sure — 100% in any circumstance,” Muto said. “But the fact we can show our commitment and dedication in making sure that we can somehow open the Olympics is something we can do as an organizing committee and as Japan. That is something that can be conveyed to the sponsors.”