Hashimoto Seiko summarizes the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games: success or failure is judged by history

Hashimoto Seiko summarizes the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Photo: Xinhua News Agency

Beijing News (chief reporter Sun Haiguang) On September 5, with the flame of the Tokyo Paralympic Games extinguished, this summer's two major events, the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Tokyo Paralympic Games, have all ended. At a press conference held today, Seiko Hashimoto, chairman of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, said that he was proud that Japan hosted the first Olympic and Paralympic Games since the pandemic, and history will determine the success of this Olympic Games.

Due to the impact of the epidemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been postponed until this year. Summing up the two events, Hashimoto said it was not easy for Japan to host these two events in the face of the global pandemic, "The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were successfully held without major problems, which is very difficult." The Organizing Committee has always put the safety of the participants and the Japanese people first, and I am proud that Japan has hosted the world's first Olympic and Paralympic Games since the pandemic. ”

Asked if the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were successful, Hashimoto said bluntly, "For the failure to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in a complete form, it cannot be said to be 100% successful for myself, and I think history will determine whether they are successful or not." ”

Due to the epidemic, the vast majority of competitions in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in the form of empty venues, which also cost the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee tens of billions of yen in ticket revenue. Asked how to cover the losses left by the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tosshiro Muto, secretary general of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, revealed that it is expected that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japanese government and the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee will consult three parties. According to the documents of the Olympic bidding stage, if there is a loss in the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, it will first be filled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government of the host city.

Toshiro Muto also revealed that the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee has entered the liquidation and summary stage. However, the financial settlement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games may not be completed until April next year.

In addition, there is news that the northern Japanese city of Sapporo intends to bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics. In 1972, Sapporo hosted the 11th Winter Olympics, the first in Asia to host the Winter Olympics. Speed skater Seiko Hashimoto said at a news conference today that if Sapporo confirms its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, she hopes to be the chairman of the Olympic Bidding Committee.

Sun Haiguang, chief reporter of the Beijing News

Edited by Han Shuangming Proofreader Liu Yue