Tokyo 2020 confirms all venues and competition schedule for the Games in 2021

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee announced at the weekend’s virtual IOC Session that all the venues intended for the Games in 2020 have been secured for next year, and confirmed the sports competition schedule.

This marks a significant step for the organisers, with only one year to go until the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 open on 23 July 2021. As preparations continue to advance, these decisions highlight the progress made amidst the current unprecedented circumstances, with strong unity amongst all stakeholders driving the planning and delivery of next year’s Games.

This was emphasised by the Organising Committee’s President, Yoshiro Mori, and its CEO, Toshiro Muto. In their report to the IOC Session, they confirmed that all 43 competition venues, the Olympic Village, and the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre would be used for the Olympic Games in 2021. The Tokyo organisers also announced that the competition schedule will remain the same, with some minor timing adjustments for operational reasons.

According to the 2021 schedule, canoe slalom will run from 25 – 30 July 2021, while the canoe sprint events will be contested from 2 – 7 August 2021.

“The Olympic Village is the beating heart of the Olympic Games, while the venues are its soul. I am delighted that the Village and the venues have been confirmed for next year. This means that the athletes will have this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Athletes from all around the world will live together under one roof in the Olympic Village, sharing meals together, celebrating together, discussing together and forming these unique Olympic communities. That Tokyo 2020 has been able to achieve this and confirm the competition schedule despite the extraordinary circumstances is testament to the work of the Joint Steering Committee led by John Coates and Yoshiro Mori,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

He continued, “With only one year to go, a mammoth task still lies ahead of us. With our Japanese partners and friends, we agree that we have to adapt the planning of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to the requirements of the global crisis, while maintaining the unique spirit and message that defines our mission. We are working to optimise the operations and services without touching on sports and athletes. In this way we can, together with the Organising Committee, turn these postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 into an unprecedented celebration of unity and solidarity of humankind, making them a symbol of resilience and hope. Showing that we are stronger together.”

Lausanne | Switzerland 17.07.2020IOC President Bach, hosts the first ever Remote IOC Session at Olympic House in 2020 – Photo credit: Greg Martin/IOC

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori commented, “Following the decision to postpone the Games, Tokyo 2020 immediately formed the New Launch Task Force and began to organise systems ready to face this unprecedented challenge. Our staff have been working tirelessly around the clock on these preparations, and it is my pleasure to announce today that we have successfully secured all venues and confirmed the competition schedule for next year’s Games.”

He continued, “I believe that the moment when athletes around the world emerge from this long, dark tunnel to gather at the Games will be a moment of pure and priceless joy. I have no doubt that people around the world will find this sight deeply moving. We will continue to give our utmost to ensure that the Tokyo Games are of special value as a symbol of unity and solidarity in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis. Next week on the 23rd, one year before the Games, we plan to send out a message of solidarity, hope, and courage to athletes with their eyes on next year’s Games.”

Since the historic announcement that the Olympic Games would be postponed, the IOC has been working in a spirit of solidarity with Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Movement stakeholders to reduce the impact caused by this postponement. During the Session, IOC President Bach thanked the Japanese partners and friends of the Games headed by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshiro, Governor Koike Yuriko, and the athletes, all the Summer Olympic International Federations, the NOCs, TOP Partners and Rights-Holding Broadcasters.

The IOC Session also received an update on the developments being made to simplify and optimise the Games, with the support of all delivery partners from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the Coordination Commission. These groups continue to review opportunities to optimise and streamline the Games’ scope and service levels.

In addition, as most of the world continues to deal with the uncertainty of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the “All Partner Task Force”, which includes experts from WHO and local Japanese government authorities, continues to advise the Games organisers. Plans are being developed for COVID-19 countermeasures. The top priority remains the one already established before the postponement decision – to safeguard the health of all of the Olympic Games participants.

The next major milestone for the organisers takes place on 23 July, marking one year to go until the start of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

A series of activities have been planned to mark this occasion, including the launch of the Olympic brand campaign, #StrongerTogether, which recognises the importance of solidarity and unity during these difficult times, acknowledging the power of sport and in particular the Olympic Games to bring people together.

JOHN COATES ELECTED VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

At the IOC Session held-online on Friday, Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates has been elected Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Mr Coates is one of two new Vice-Presidents elected by IOC Members, along with IOC Member in Singapore Ng Ser Miang. Mr Coates was previously Vice-President from 2013 to 2017.

Mr Coates four-year term as Vice-President sees him returned to the IOC Executive Board, which consists of the IOC President, four Vice-Presidents and ten other elected members.

He is also Chair of the IOC Legal Affairs Commission and Chair of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Coordination Commission.

For Mr Ng, who is Chair of the key IOC Finance Commission, it’s also his second term as a Vice-President.

Mr Coates says he is grateful for the opportunity to continue his service to the IOC in the role of Vice-President along with his other responsibilities.

“This is a very important time for the Olympic movement globally. In this time of both challenges and great opportunities, I’m delighted to be supporting IOC President Thomas Bach in strengthening the Olympic movement globally through this period,” Mr Coates concluded.

Mr Coates Vice-Presidency will coincide with his final four years as an IOC Member.

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