The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Tokyo 2020) have today launched the second editions of the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks, with the version for Athletes and Team Officials.
Building on February’s publication,
the new Playbooks provide more specific details to participants about the
countermeasures that will help ensure safe and successful Games for all those
taking part and the residents of Tokyo and Japan. Some of the key measures in
the Playbooks can be found in the five-party joint statement: https://www.paralympic.org/news/joint-statement-ioc-ipc-tokyo-2020-tmg-and-government-japan
The countermeasures detailed in the
Playbooks are based on science, benefiting from learnings gathered during the
evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to implementing the most
effective tools being used throughout society, such as screening testing, mask
wearing, personal hygiene and physical distancing, they also draw upon the
experience of hundreds of sports events that have taken place safely across the
world over the past year, with minimal risk to participants and the local
population.
The Playbooks have been developed
through the ongoing work of the All-Partners Task Force, which includes the
Government of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020
Organising Committee, the IOC, IPC, World Health Organisation and independent
experts and organisations from across the world.
Speaking about the Playbooks, IOC
President Thomas Bach said: “Tokyo and Japan have accepted the unprecedented
challenge of organising the first postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games in
history. We thank them for their great work in this respect and, as partners, we
understand the great responsibility that everyone attending the Games must
accept so that all participants and the Japanese population remain safe. This
is why we have created the Playbooks, based on science and the best medical and
event expertise available to us.”
He continued: “Providing more details
about the operations that stakeholders can expect at Games time, we have also
remained flexible to the evolving global situation, combining numerous
countermeasures to create the safest possible environment. Increased testing
for athletes and stakeholders, before and during the Games, is one important
example. We’re also encouraged by the growing number of vaccinations being
administered throughout the world. These tools will only work, however, if
everyone shows solidarity and follows the guidelines. This is why those
violating the rules can expect to be strictly dealt with in Tokyo. This is our
commitment to the people of Tokyo and Japan, who are so kindly welcoming us to
their city and country this summer.”
IPC President Andrew Parsons said:
“With the support of the world’s leading experts in health and sport event
delivery, the updated Playbooks offer greater information for everyone
attending the Tokyo 2020 Games, outlining the roles and responsibilities of
each stakeholder.
“As with the first editions, special
considerations for persons with disabilities are included in all Playbooks, and
I believe the stringent measures outlined will offer reassurance and comfort to
all Games stakeholders, as well as the people of Japan. We are taking every
possible measure to deliver safe Games.”
Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto Seiko
said: “The COVID-19 countermeasures included in the first edition of the
Playbooks [published February 2021] have been reviewed and significantly
updated in order to address the evolving situation of the pandemic. Rules to be
observed by all Games participants during their stay in Japan have been
expanded and clarified to include further details to ensure safe and secure
Games.
“It is important that all
stakeholders fully understand these rules, and that each and every one arrives
in Japan with the understanding that their cooperation is critical to the
success of the Games. We will hold online briefings for each of our stakeholder
groups to ensure clear and comprehensive communication on these points.”
One of the key updates in this
version of the Playbooks details daily testing, in principle, for athletes and
those in regular contact with them, which will be a crucial part of minimising
transmission and the risk of an uncontrolled outbreak. Testing will be used for
general screening and for those identified as a close contact of a positive
case; as well as for diagnosis for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
The latest Playbooks also outline the
role of COVID-19 Liaison Officers (CLOs), to be appointed by each stakeholder,
who will work very closely with Tokyo 2020 and Japanese health authorities.
They will receive extensive training to enable them to play a key role
throughout the Games, providing an essential support network for their
delegation. The CLOs will ensure all members of their organisation are fully
informed of the contents of their relevant Playbooks. In addition, they will be
monitoring the implementation of all COVID-19 countermeasures, ensuring
participants follow their detailed activity plans and managing any positive
cases that are detected.
The publication of version two of the
Playbooks builds upon the optimisation and simplification of operational plans,
reduced delegations from all Olympic and Paralympic Movement stakeholders, and
the decision and announcement in March by the Japanese side, and respected and
accepted by the IOC and IPC, to not allow spectators from overseas to enter
Japan.
In acknowledging the evolving
COVID-19 situation around the world, the IOC, IPC and Tokyo 2020 reinforced
their commitment to regularly update the Playbooks. They will continue to
receive regular input from the All-Partners Task Force, taking into account the
latest advances in science and developments on the ground, in close
collaboration with experts. As part of this ongoing evolution, the next version
of the Playbooks (which is expected to be final) will be published in June
2021.
Playbooks can be found on the IPC
website: https://www.paralympic.org/tokyo-2020/playbooks
For further information, please
contact Philip Dorward, IPC Head of Communications
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