Tokyo 2020 is committed to a simplified Paralympic Games that reflects “the new global economic,
societal and public health contexts” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The principles, positioning and roadmap for the 2020 Paralympics were released by Tokyo 2020 on Wednesday after having been revised in the light of the postponement of the Games which have been rescheduled to 24 August – 5 September 2021.
Photo Courtesy: paralympic.org
In the principles section, it read:
“Simplify and optimise the Games preparation and delivery, while keeping a focus on sport and athletes, to reduce the cost impact of postponement and promote public interest, reflecting the new global economic, societal and public health contexts.
- Critical sport competition and athlete-related elements will be maintained where possible, and only be
adapted to the new context if absolutely necessary for Games operational reasons. - Promote collaboration between all stakeholders and delivery partners to ensure relevant experience is
leveraged to find creative solutions to simplify Games delivery from the viewpoint of reducing cost and
implement COVID-19 countermeasures.
The latter would include encouraging stakeholders to optimise their delegations working in Tokyo, ensure that focus of optimisation is placed across all areas including those with higher budget impacts, ensure adjusted plans per venue and stakeholders to optimise and streamline the services levels and reconsider non-core cultural elements of the Games.
COVID-19 has had a lasting impact on the world although as yet we don’t know what form that will take in the long term.
The positioning element of the release recognises this and adds that priorities have now changed, calling on all stakeholders to work together “with creativity, flexibility and determination” while focusing on what is essential to deliver the Games.
However, the postponement and new context presents an opportunity for Japan and the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
With regard to Games preparation, Tokyo 2020 says:
“With this vision in mind, we will work together to carry out preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games following three principles:
- To prioritise the health and safety of athletes, spectators, stakeholders, volunteers and staff.
- To reduce the cost impact of postponement and promote public interest.
- To simplify and reduce the complexity of the Games to ensure they can be organised efficiently, safely and sustainably in this new context.”
The release echoes Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori who said last month that the Olympic organising committee had agreed with the International Olympic Committee to hold a “simplified” Games with 200 items including the opening ceremony and torch relay under review.
Mori and Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto announced the agreement with the IOC in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved from the coronavirus and reduce the financial impact of the one-year delay with the former the top priority but also “the biggest challenge”.
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