Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, today wasted no time in signalling that a significant revamp of the winning Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic project is probably in the offing.
Barely was the ink dry on the Host City contract - indeed, it may well have been still wet - when Bach intervened in a media conference to point out that the Chinese capital now had the “opportunity to benefit from” the IOC’s recently-enacted Olympic Agenda 2020 reform programme.
“It is a little bit like the situation of Tokyo in 2020,” the IOC President observed.
“We are ready to work closely with Beijing.”
If the changes to Beijing’s much-criticised blueprint are anything like as profound as those made, and planned, to the Japanese capital’s Summer Olympic and Paralympic intentions as compared with the original bid book, then the transformation from what Chinese bid leaders have so far outlined would be pretty sweeping.
The IOC is so far claiming to have made $1.7 billion (£1.1 billion/€1.5 billion) of savings by encouraging wholesale changes to Tokyo’s original venue plan through making greater use of pre-existing and further-flung facilities.
Outside criticism of Beijing’s proposals has focused on the large distance between Games zones and limited snowfall, obliging planners to countenance deployment of artificial snow-making systems, provoking what bid officials described as “minimal environmental impact”.
The tightness of Beijing’s four-vote winning margin - after a re-vote forced by technical issues - suggests strongly that this criticism gained plenty of traction among IOC members.
Bach’s comments were sparked by insidethegames' question to the victorious Beijing team to which Beijing 2022 director Zhang Li responded that “we are keen to improve the current preliminary plans we have”, adding: “Our chief goal is the best Games in 2022.”
Sports Minister Liu Peng, who is also President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, chipped in as well, talking of “a competition between equals and a friendly competition.
“I think this close victory is a good thing: we must learn from Almaty to improve our own work,” Liu said.
Bach reacted testily when asked whether the problems with voting might be indicative that the process was in some way rigged.
“This is a pretty unfair question,” the IOC President maintained.
“Obviously there were technical issues.
“If then the scrutineers decide to be on the very safe side, to have a new vote and to have it on a ballot paper, this speaks for itself.”
GAMES
Baseball and softball lead eight sports shortlisted for Tokyo 2020 inclusion
Baseball and softball, karate, squash, bowling, roller sports, climbing, surfing and wushu are the eight sports nominated for the next stage of the application process to be added to the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it has been announced this morning.
The decision, compiled from a list of 26 applicants, was made today following a meeting of the Tokyo's 2020 Additional Events Programme Panel in the Japanese capital chaired by the head of imaging giants Canon Fujio Mitarai.
The list holds few surprises, with baseball and softball long seen as the favourites to be restored to the Olympic programme follow their exclusion after Beijing 2008.
Squash, karate, roller sports, wushu and sport climbing, meanwhile, all applied in the initial inclusion process ultimately won by wrestling in 2013 following the controversial decision to axed them after Rio 2016 before a campaign was launched to
Surfing is included following an extensive marketing campaign, while bowling is the least expected addition, benefiting from its increased profile at other major multi-sport events such as the Asian Games.
Those 18 that have been unsuccessful consist of air sports, american football, bowls, bridge, chess, dancesport, floorball, flying disc, korfball, netball, orienteering, polo, racquetball, snooker, sumo, tug of war, underwater sports and water skiing.
All eight federations will now progress to a second stage of the application process, which will include the submission of further details by July 22 before Briefings to organisers due to take place in Tokyo on August 7 and 8.
An unspecified number will then be proposed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September, before a final decision is due to made by its membership at its Session in Rio de Janeiro in August of next year.
New sports must be a "driving force to promote the Olympic Movement and its values, with a focus on youth appeal", it has been explained, while they must also "engage the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide, reflecting the Tokyo 2020 Games vision".
No details have been released about the contents of each Federations applications, with no more information expected until September.
A major question considers the contents of roller skating's application, and whether it includes the discipline of skateboarding, which has been widely muted as a contender.
But it was not eligible to apply because neither of the Federations who recognise it - the International Skateboarding Federation or the World Skateboarding Federation - are recognised by the IOC.
But, although the International Roller Skating Federation has said it is unable to provide further details at this stage, insidethegames understands that skateboarding and speed skating are the two disciplines suggested.
If successful, this is a move which would bear comparison with the integration of snowboarding within the International Ski Federation ahead of its Winter Olympic inclusion at Nagano 1998.
Tokyo 2020 set to reveal shortlisted new sports in battle for Olympic inclusion
A shortlist of sports in contention to be added to the Olympic programme will be revealed by Tokyo 2020 on Monday morning (June 22) at a special event in the Japanese capital, it has been announced.
A total of 26 International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognised sports submitted applications earlier this month, with these set to be whittled down ahead of a second phase of the process which will include presentations to Tokyo's Additional Event Programme Panel ahead of a proposal to the IOC on September 30.
Baseball and softball are considered the favourites, along with squash and karate, which was showcased before several IOC members earlier this month at the European Games in Baku.
Bowling, snooker, roller skating, sport climbing, surfing and wushu are others with serious ambitions.
The other 17 are not contenders.
These consist of air sports, american football, bowls, bridge, chess, dancesport, floorball, flying disc, korfball, netball, orienteering, polo, racquetball, sumo, tug of war, underwater sports and water skiing.
It unknown how many sports will be shortlisted, and how many will ultimately be added.
The announcement is due to be made at 10:30am local time at the Toranomon Hills Mori Tower hotel, with the chair and vice chair of the Additional Events Programme Panel, the head of imaging giants Canon Fujio Mitarai and Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto, in attendance.
New sports must be a "driving force to promote the Olympic Movement and its values, with a focus on youth appeal", it has been explained, while they must also "engage the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide, reflecting the Tokyo 2020 Games vision".
Final confirmation following the Tokyo 2020 proposals is then expected to be made at the IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August, 2016.
One interesting question related to the applications concerns roller skating, and whether the discipline of skateboarding has been included within its application.
This has been a source of controversy, with the International Roller Skating Federation, the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF) and the World Skateboarding Federation (WSF) - the three bodies vying for control of the sport - having met with the IOC several times in recent weeks to discuss a possible collaboration.
Because neither the ISF nor WSF are IOC-recognised, the only means by which skateboarding was eligible to apply was under the FIRS banner.
Both the FIRS and Tokyo 2020 told insidethegames that they cannot divulge contents of applications at this stage.
ISF President Gary Ream, meanwhile, told insidethegames that "all options are possible".
Changes to Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 could begin "immediately" after Agenda 2020 approval
An immediate review into possible changes for Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 will be taken if proposed Agenda 2020 recommendations are approved here next week, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has promised.
He also revealed that postponement of last month's Pyeongchang 2018 Coordination Commission inspection until March occurred in order to allow the Organising Committee "more time" following the appointment of Yang Ho-cho as its new President in July.
Since then, news of a dispute between the Central and Provincial Governments in South Korea has emerged, with Gangwon Province officials warning they will be crippled financially unless the Government in Seoul adopts a greater share of the costs, particularly for the new Stadium in which the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are expected to be held.
If a solution is not found, it has been reported in South Korea that Pyeongchang could even consider withdrawing from hosting the Games, something which has not happened since Denver pulled out of staging the 1976 Olympics after they were awarded them and they were instead given to Innsbruck.
Pyeongchang 2018 has downplayed these fears, with spokesperson Lee Jihye claiming how "negotiations about funding for the Olympic Stadium are ongoing between the National Government, the Provincial Government and the Organising Committee, and we expect them to be completed soon".
Bach also claimed he was not concerned by the reports following a presentation from Pyeongchang 2018 today to the IOC Executive Board.
"We had the report from Pyeongchang Organising Committee today, and they told us they will deliver on time and on budget," he said.
"We have been discussing the budget, of course.
"We have a new President of the Organising Committee and he has the full confidence of the IOC Executive Board.
"He has asked for more time after he took over to address the different issues, including the budget, he has to have discussion with the different levels of the Government in [South] Korea.
"We will see some progress on this by the Project Meeting in January and this is why we postponed the Coordination Commission from November until March next year."
The Coordination Commission visit will now take place from March 17 until 19, the IOC has confirmed to insidethegames.
When asked about the impact of Agenda 2020, which could lead to a more "flexible" Games in order to reduce costs, with one recommendation permitting "the organisation of entire sports and disciplines outside the host city or, in exceptional cases, outside the host country notably for reasons of geography and sustainability", Bach claimed changes could be made quickly.
"Immediately after this Session, if Olympic Agenda 2020 is approved and more flexibility is possible, we will enter into discussions [with Pyeongchang and Tokyo] regarding the implementation," Bach said.
"This could lead to changes with regard to different venues and to other decisions."
Speaking today,President Cho also reflected on these possibilities, describing how "Agenda2020 is now shaping-up and a lot of opportunities will emerge that will benefit current and future Olympic and Paralympic Games Organisers".
"At this stage various ideas are pondered," he added.
"After this session we will have a clear understanding about the new flexibility that Agenda 2020 provides all Games organisers and we will consult with the IOC."
The proposed changes could also be particularly significant for Tokyo, with proposals underway there to move several events to pre-existing venues outside the capital, rather than construct new ones within the city.
This move would sacrifice planned legacy benefits but significantly reduce costs, now seen as more important.
Tokyo favourites for the 2020 Olympics, Doha outsiders - according to bookies
September 2 - Tokyo have been installed by the bookmakers as the favourites to win the race for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics with Baku and Doha ranked as the outsiders.
William Hill has installed the Japanese capital as their 2/1 favourites to host the Games for the first time since 1964 following the confirmation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier today that they are among the six bidders.
Tokyo bid unsuccessfully for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, which were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.
They reached the second round of voting before they were eliminated.
Tokyo's bid had been placed in jeopardy following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March, which killed at least 15,000 people with another 5,000 still missing.
Tokyo being installed as favourites will surprise most people as their bid is widely seen to be hampered by the fact that the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are being held in Pyeongchang in nearby South Korea.
Hills have listed Madrid and Rome as joint second-favourites at 9/4.
Rome hosted the Olympics in 1960 and were the favourites to stage them in 2004 only to be surprisingly beaten by Athens.
Madrid, meanwhile, which claims to the only major capital in Europe not have hosted the Olympics will be bidding for a third consecutive occasion, having gone close for 2012 and 2016, reaching the last round the last time before being beaten by Rio.
Istanbul, who will be bidding for a fifth time in six Olympics, are seen as the favourites by many experts within the Olympic Movement but are listed only at 6/1 by Hills, which will be seen as outstanding value.
"Tokyo and Madrid missed out on the 2016 Games when it was awarded to Rio and their perseverance in applying once again may well be rewarded," said Hill's spokesman Joe Crilly.
Baku and Doha are listed at 14/1.
But Doha will draw strength from the fact that Qatar's bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup started in a similar position but they ended up seeing off more fancied contenders like Australia, Japan and South Korea before beating favourites United States 14-18 in the final round of voting.
Doha's bid is dependent on persuading the IOC members that they should be allowed to host the Games between September 20 and October 20, which is outside the normal window, to avoid the worst of the Qatari heat.
Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) general secretary Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman today refused to be downhearted by the long odds offered against Doha. 
"Our team will be working tirelessly on all aspects of our bid and hosting concept all the way through to the IOC Executive Board meeting in May 2012 when we hope to be confirmed as a 2020 Candidate City and then all the way to the IOC Session in September 2013," he said.
"We want to build on what we have achieved in sport in recent years as we set out our plans to the Olympic Family.
"To have the opportunity to host the first ever Games in the Middle East will have a profound impact not just on sports development throughout the region, but also in encouraging a greater bridge between the Middle East and the wider international community.
"Doha already has significant experience in hosting international events and, of course, that experience will grow further when Doha hosts 8,000 athletes during the Arab Games 2011 this December.
"The IOC Executive Board has shown great vision in allowing us to bid to host the Games outside the traditional date window and we will do all we can to show why that was the right decision."
Source: www.insudethegames.biz
By Duncan Mackay
