For the Tokyo Olympics, it will be 2021 or nothing. The Belgian Pierre-Olivier Beckers, a senior official of the IOC, who notably chairs the Coordination Commission for the 2024 Olympic Games, recalled the position of the International Committee and its boss Thomas Bach, on Saturday, in an interview with the newspaper L'Avenir.
"Today, everyone is convinced that they will start on July 23, 2021. As we are convinced that the Games will take place in 2021 or they will not take place," he said with reference to the Covid pandemic. -19. It is indeed unthinkable to hold such a project at arm's length longer, with colossal costs and thousands of people mobilized. "
Spring decision "if questions still remain"
“In addition, it is essential to resume the normal sports calendar, in order to allow major events to regain their place. All sports federations had to adapt to the postponement of the Games. We cannot imagine such a upheaval a second time, ”continues the president of the Belgian Olympic Committee. According to Beckers, the final decision "will be taken in the spring if questions still remain", specifying that he says he is "optimistic" about the holding of the Games, however rejecting the idea of the Olympics behind closed doors.
Regarding the 2024 edition, he “wants Paris to be different (from previous editions). We want to organize Games that are economically responsible, Games that are inclusive, inclusive, sustainable and useful for society ”.
“The IOC wants the Games to adapt to the needs of cities, countries, and more the reverse. Paris will be the first edition which will be fully in line with this vision, ”he says. “We have to fight gigantism. In Paris, we are going to come back to a budget lower than that of previous editions: 3.8 billion euros for operations and around 3 billion for all infrastructure, ”finally concludes the head of the Coordination Commission.
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Coronavirus: Tokyo is working on a reduced Olympics because of the postponement to 2021
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