To avoid making the Olympic facility a “negative heritage”

The expenses for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics held this summer were announced, and it was found that the expenses are currently expected to reach 1,453 billion yen.

What was left for us by the unusual tournament, which was postponed for one year by the new Corona and most of the venues were held without spectators.

Tournament expenses doubled from the initial cost

The budget for the Tokyo Games was 734 billion yen in the "Candidate File" submitted to the IOC = International Olympic Committee in 2013.

However, when the overall picture of the tournament expenses was shown for the first time in 2016, it increased from 1.6 trillion yen to 1.8 trillion yen.

After that, as a result of promoting efficiency to reduce the cost of the tournament, it will decrease to 1.35 trillion yen by 2019.

After a one-year postponement of the tournament, as of December last year, the total amount was 1,644 billion yen.

Since it was held without spectators at most of the venues, the budget was reduced as a result of reducing the costs for new corona measures for spectators, security and transportation costs, simplifying the tournament and reviewing contracts. It is expected to be about 200 billion yen lower.

The expenses for the Games will be shared by the Organizing Committee, Tokyo, and the national government, but no additional expenses are expected to be incurred.

However, regarding the significant increase in expenses from the beginning, Secretary-General Muto of the Organizing Committee said, "It cannot be compared with the numbers at the time of the candidacy file. (At the invitation stage) the construction cost of the competition facility itself is presented. That is required, and when it comes to using it, the surrounding area must be improved, and various additional expenses will be incurred. "

Permanent establishment with huge public expenditure

The total amount of the tournament expenses borne by the national government and the capital is 820 billion yen.

Of this amount, 350 billion yen is the competition venue built as a permanent establishment.

After the tournament, the issue is how to utilize the facilities.

Of the six facilities newly established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, five are expected to have an annual income and expenditure deficit.

The only surplus in Tokyo's assumption is "Ariake Arena," which is expected to be used for events such as concerts as well as international sports competitions, and is expected to be in the black at 356 million yen annually.

The annual deficit of the other five facilities is

▽ Tokyo Aquatics Center 638 million yen,

▽ Canoe Slalom Center 186 million yen,

▽ Sea Forest Waterway 158 million yen,

▽ Oi Hockey Stadium is 92 million yen,

▽ Yumenoshima Park Archery Stadium is 11.7 million yen.

Regarding this, the person in charge of the city said, "Public facilities are also required to play roles that cannot be expressed in terms of profitability, such as promotion of sports for persons with disabilities and popularization of competitions. However, as long as taxes are used, promotion of use and profits I want to improve my sexuality. "

The pool next to the pool!

??

The Tokyo Aquatics Center was built at a cost of about 56.7 billion yen and was used for swimming at the Tokyo Games.

Just 300 meters from the building, just 300 meters away, is the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Pool, which opened in 1993, and has just built a "pool next to the pool".

The reason was that there were not enough seats in Tatsumi to hold the Olympics.

However, due to the influence of the new Corona, the tournament became unattended at most venues, and no spectators entered the audience seats at the Aquatics Center.

On the other hand, Tatsumi International Swimming Pool was used as a venue for water polo at the Tokyo Games.

The usage after the tournament was not decided, but it is expected to be renovated to an ice rink and opened in 2025.

Unexpected situations in facility utilization

At the Sea Forest Waterway, which is expected to have a deficit of 158 million yen annually, rowing and canoe competitions were held at the Tokyo Games.

The capital is scheduled to open partly as a sports facility in April next year, but something unexpected is happening now.

It became clear that the "wave-dissipating device" used to suppress the waves had a scrape attached to it, and the weight of the oyster caused the device to sink and stop functioning.

For this reason, it was temporarily removed.

At this venue, we are aiming to attract international and domestic competitions, but the city needs a "wave-dissipating device" to hold international boat competitions, and the city will take drastic measures over the next year or so. It is said that.

However, some people concerned say that it will be difficult to hold an international convention until the equipment is re-installed.

"Heritage" or "Athlete First"

That's not the only challenge.

In Japan, there is the "Toda Boat Course" in Saitama Prefecture, which has already been regarded as a "sacred place for boats" and has held numerous major competitions.

Universities and business groups operating in the metropolitan area have training camps and training bases, and the boathouses operated by the national and prefectural governments also have accommodation facilities that can be used for about 2000 yen per night, and many team players participate in the tournament. During the period of staying here, there is an environment where it is easy to participate in the race.

On the other hand, although the boathouse of the Sea Forest Waterway can accommodate about 140 people, there is no training camp that can accommodate a large number of people, so securing a place for athletes to stay during the tournament is an issue.

In addition to the need to carry boats to the stadium, securing transportation for athletes and spectators to reach the stadium far from the nearest station or accommodation is also an issue, and there is concern that the cost burden will increase. ..

In addition, it has been pointed out that there is not enough space for athletes to take a break before and after the race, so there are still issues in terms of measures against the heat in the summer and safety management of athletes in sudden bad weather.

Daisuke Uchida, the representative of the All Japan University Rowing Federation, which is made by the rowing clubs of universities nationwide, said, "Athletes and instructors want to make effective use of the course, but as a major premise, we must ensure safety and security. Then it is difficult. "

In addition, Deputy Representative Tomoya Takeda, who is the director of Doshisha University, said, "It should be used to make the boat competition known to be wonderful, and if the tournament is held only by utilizing the legacy, it will hinder the splendor and spread of the competition." Ring the alarm bell.

The Japan Rowing Association will hold the "All Japan Championship" in May next year in Umi no Mori, but the remaining major tournaments will continue to be held at the Toda Rowing Course.

Regarding the facilities, the capital says that some maintenance such as parking lots still remains, and from the next year when it opens in earnest, we would like to seriously hold the tournament.

On top of that, Hiroyuki Kashiwara, director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Bureau, said, "If there are not enough facilities, we would like to continue discussions with the competition organizations and consider improvement measures. International competitions that are regarded as important overseas. If it can be attracted, it will be broadcasted and more people will come to watch the game. This will expand the base of the competition population. As a result, it may be evaluated as a legacy. " increase.

Can't you review it?

"Olympic monster"

Actually, when Governor Koike of Tokyo took office five years ago, this "Sea Forest Waterway" was subject to review due to a large amount of maintenance costs.

However, the host city contract signed by the IOC = International Olympic Committee and Tokyo, etc. stipulates that the venue cannot be changed without the approval of the IOC, and if any changes are made, it must be discussed with the IF = international sports organization. I am.

At that time, the research team in Tokyo proposed to change the boat venue to an existing facility in Miyagi prefecture, but as a result of discussions with the IF and IOC, the venue did not change.

Shinichi Ueyama, who served as a special adviser at the Metropolitan Government Reform Headquarters and was in discussions, said, "IF will insist on the most advanced and luxurious equipment possible when it comes to the Olympics. The Olympics are like monsters, and the budget is from the beginning. It's an event with over-bombs. I think it's inevitable for an Olympic organization to want to spend the maximum amount of money with a big chance once every four years, but just because they want it. "Yes, I understand," he points out.

In order not to make it a “negative heritage”

Experts who are investigating and researching the impact of the Olympic Games on society point out the following issues regarding the utilization of the venue.

(Investigating and researching the social impact of the Olympics) Associate Professor Yuji Ishizaka, Nara Women's University)

"While facilities are difficult to turn into the black, the deficit tends to look large, but when used by athletes, it improves competitiveness. It will lead to the

improvement

of the local economy by connecting and returning it to the popularity of sports, and by opening it as a facility that is easy for many people to use.

" What should I do to avoid making it a "heritage"?

(Investigating and researching the social impact of the Olympics) Associate Professor Yuji Ishizaka, Nara Women's University)

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games

last for

about a month, but the value of the competition facilities will be determined for about 30 years after that. We must continue to come up with ideas to increase value so that everyone wants to support the facility, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, including the Olympic Games, must be fully accountable. "

Since the bid was decided eight years ago, the way the competition venue should be after the competition, where issues have been repeatedly pointed out.

Only a few months after the tournament is over, the host city, Tokyo, is facing that challenge.

Regarding the Olympics and Paralympics, there is also a movement that Sapporo City aims to attract the 2030 Winter Games.

The question is how to connect the lessons learned from the Tokyo Games, which were held at a huge cost, to the future.