15 July 2021 - The IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi has hailed the “outstanding” preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and says the venues are ready to safely host the world’s athletes.
“The level of preparation is outstanding and we can be very confident,” said Dubi, who has been in Tokyo for the past few weeks as final preparations have been taking place, and has witnessed the work in the venues. “The venues are ready and they look magnificent.”
“We have been working with the Organising Committee and everyone for this, for the athletes to share their excitement, for the athletes to shine at the time of the Olympic Games and it’s upon us - 23rd July. This moment we all wait for, we all long for, the delegations marching in meaning the start of the Games, is only a few days away.”
The global pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges but Dubi says he is confident they have been met: “We have designed and implemented very precise rules for every participant and they work. At this point in time we have to be focused obviously. But we can also be very, very confident.”
The Executive Director also acknowledged the innovation that will take these Games to viewers around the globe using cutting-edge technology: “Considering the context here in Tokyo, having no spectators was the right decision. What we will ensure nevertheless is that all the energy that is outside of the stadiums will be delivered back into the stadium with fans’ videos, images and messages. We’ll make sure there will be an atmosphere.”
The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take place from July 23 to August 8 2021 and the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 from August 24 to September 5 2021.
© Copyright International Olympic Committee 2021. This content is the exclusive property of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC-VNRs are for bona fide news reporting purposes only and all rights required for their production have been cleared. Terms and Conditions of the IOC Newsroom and Olympics.com apply.
