London (AFP)
If the International Olympic Committee is reluctant to postpone the Tokyo Olympics, it is because such a decision is "a very complex puzzle", explained the former IOC marketing manager to AFP, Michael Payne.
If a complete cancellation of the Games due to the spread of the new coronavirus was entirely within the powers of the IOC, it was never envisaged, assured the one who, in almost twenty years in office, transfigured the image of the CIO and its finances by opening the door wide for sponsors.
But, under its appearance of reasonable choice, a postponement would be "a very complex puzzle" because it would "suddenly change everything after seven years of preparation for the biggest sporting event in the world", assured Payne, contacted by phone since l 'Spain.
And nothing will be done without the agreement of the "host partner", Japan, he stressed.
"The Japanese braked as much as they could in the hope that holding them in July would be possible. For the Japanese, postponing the Games would have lost face and political credit (to Prime Minister Shinzo) Abe because it was in much of his project. "
But pressure from the Canadian and Australian Olympic committees, as well as the influential International Athletics Federation, in favor of a postponement, suggests that even the slim Japanese hopes of seeing the Olympics still taking place in 2020 may be disappointed.
"The last thing you want is a sword of Damocles hanging over your head like: + are they going to take place? +. strengthen the IOC to convince the Japanese that it will not work in October. "
Payne also said it was wrong to believe that broadcast rights holders or sponsors had the cards in hand on this decision.
"Nothing is less true," he said. "The IOC does not consult with sponsors or (the American channel) NBC before the vote to choose the next host country. The idea that the IOC does what is best for sponsors is not just how it works, "he concluded.
© 2020 AFP