Japan\u2019s new prime minister Yoshihide Suga<\/strong> insists the Tokyo Olympics will take place next year as \u201cproof that humanity has defeated the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tokyo 2020 was postponed in March in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and there are ongoing doubts that the rescheduled Games will go ahead in July 2021.<\/p>\n

Surveys have shown that a majority of Japanese companies and public don’t think the Olympics will or should happen next year.<\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Tokyo 2020<\/p><\/div>\n
But Suga said in a prerecorded speech at the UN General Assembly that he will \u201cspare no effort in order to welcome you to Games that are safe and secure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suga’s words came hours after Tokyo 2020 organisers announced several “simplification\u201d changes although few would make significant financial savings.<\/p>\n
The International Olympic Committee and local organisers pledged to reduce costs following the postponement which has been estimated to cost several billion dollars which\u00a0will be borne by local taxpayers.<\/p>\n
They had talked about 200 items being potentially cut but at the moment have settled on 50.<\/p>\n
Some of the simplications include: reduce the number of officials from National Olympic Committees and sporting organisations by 10-15%, cancelling a portion of an IOC meeting before the Olympics, shortening the main press centre availability by eight days, reviewing transportation for stakeholders; cancelling the welcome ceremony at the Olympic Village, toning down the overall look of the venues and Olympic Village and reducing office space by 14%.<\/p>\n
Officials repeated that no cuts would be made to athlete numbers \u2014 11,000 for the Olympics and 4,400 for the Paralympic Games \u2014 nor the number of events.<\/p>\n
Other items unlikely to be cut include the 121-day torch relay, which is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Toyota, while the opening and closing ceremonies are unlikely to be affected.<\/p>\n
Yoshiro Mori,<\/strong> the president of the organising committee, admitted at the end of two days of online meetings with IOC officials that “it\u2019s like a glass half-filled or half empty”.<\/p>\n
He said major cuts were difficult because of IOC contracts that were already in place with broadcasters and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n
IOC vice president John Coates<\/strong>, who oversees Tokyo preparations, said some rule changes will have to be made for athletes who test positive for COVID-19 in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
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He said:<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf an athlete tests positive for COVID, then there has to be a provision to take that athlete out of the Games in the same way \u2014 not the same stigma, but in the same way we replace athletes with doping problems.<\/p>\n
“And if we get a vaccine, there will be agreements that they (athletes) will accept vaccines.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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