Brussels (AFP)
"The (Tokyo) Games will take place in 2021 or will not take place," said Belgian Pierre-Olivier Beckers, senior IOC official, who notably chairs the Coordination Commission for the JO-2024, in an interview with the newspaper. L'Avenir, Saturday.
"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 pandemic of Covid-19.
"It is, indeed, unthinkable to hold at arm's length such a project longer, with colossal costs and thousands of people mobilized".
"In addition, it is essential to resume the normal sports calendar, in order to allow major events to regain their place. All the sports federations have 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 Olympic Games in camera.
Regarding the 2024 edition, he "wants Paris to be different (from the previous editions). We would like to organize Games that are economically responsible, Games that are inclusive, inclusive, sustainable and useful for society".
"The will of the IOC is that the Games adapt to the needs of cities, countries, and more the reverse. Paris will be the first edition which will fully fit into this vision," he said.
"We must fight against gigantism. In Paris, we will return to a budget lower than that of previous editions: 3.8 billion euros for operations and around 3 billion for all infrastructure," concludes the boss of the Coordination Commission for the JO-2024.
© 2020 AFP