KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) — The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (Tokyo 2020) has confirmed all 43 competition venues and also the full schedule during the virtual International Olympic Council (IOC) session on Friday.
Its Organising Committee president, Yoshiro Mori, and chief executive officer, Toshiro Muto, during the session, confirmed, among others, the Olympic Village, International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre for the Olympic Games in 2021.
Mori said a task force was immediately formed after the IOC announced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our staff has 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.
“We will continue to give our utmost to ensure that the Tokyo Games is 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,” he was quoted as saying in the IOC website;www.olympic.org.
Meanwhile, IOC president Thomas Bach expressed his gratitude to Tokyo 2020 for making an early preparation, particularly in confirming the venues and also the competition schedule, for the Olympic Games.
“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,” Bach added.
He also expressed confidence that both IOC and Tokyo 2020 can work their best to turn the postponed Olympic Games into an unprecedented celebration of unity and solidarity of humankind, making them a symbol of resilience and hope.
The Tokyo 2020 has line-up several events on July 23, marking one year to go until the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games, 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.
The Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 have been postponed to July 23 to Aug 8, 2021, while the Tokyo Paralympics will be held from Aug 24 to Sept 5, 2021.
The Olympics were originally scheduled for July 24 to Aug 9, 2020, and the Paralympics from Aug 25 to Sept 6, but were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— BERNAMA