Preparations for the postponed Tokyo Games "seem to be barely out of the starting blocks," according to Stephen Wade of the AP. Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee CEO Toshiro Muto has "spoken cautiously ever since the coronavirus pandemic caused the postponement and says little about progress." He said that onlookers should not expect "much solid news until planning reaches the 'second phase' in the fall." This includes "who pays for the the delay," which is estimated in Japan at $2-6B, as well as "how to keep fans, staff and athletes safe from the coronavirus, and deal-making to secure the same 43 venues and the same competition schedule." Muto said that October "loomed" -- and IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates agreed -- as a "time when 'many [things] will come clear in the process.'" Muto said that the October timeline "excluded any decision about 'go or not to go' on with the Olympics." Muto has "always said the games are on." But IOC President Thomas Bach and Tokyo Organizing Committee President Yoshiro Mori "agree they cannot be delayed again." Another delay "will mean a cancellation" (AP, 5/28).
