News
2020-09-12

Olympics-How the Tokyo Games might look in 2021


Japan's Olympic Minister insists the rearranged Tokyo2020 Games must be held "at any cost", while the International Olympic Committee says only that it is committed to delivering a safe event.
But with less than a year before the July 23-Aug. 8 Games are due to start, the hugest of question marks remains over whether they can ever take place.
With neither partner seemingly willing to consider scrapping the event as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally, we consider the options available, and possible scenarios:
PROCEED AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED
The best-case scenario for the IOC is to hold the Tokyo Games with few or no restrictions in place because of COVID-19.
That will be impossible unless a stable vaccine is developed and produced in sufficient quantities over the next 10 months.
IOC President Thomas Bach said such a vaccine would "not be the silver bullet but they can greatly facilitate the organisation of the Games".
Japan has already taken steps to secure enough of any prospective vaccine to inoculate its 126 million people and provide reassurance for incoming athletes and fans.
Venues at full capacity with no travel restrictions in place would keep broadcasters and sponsors, the Games' biggest sources of revenue, happy, while also giving organisers much-needed revenue from on-site ticket and merchandising sales.
This way, organisers can hope to recoup some of the estimated $1 billion in extra costs they are expected to face due to the postponement.