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Organizers said the Games were expected to cost
some 1.35 trillion yen ($12.35 billion), which is in keeping
with last year’s version of the budget, but that that figure did
not include an estimated three billion yen for moving the
events.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stunned Games
organizers in October by announcing the marathon would be moved
to Sapporo to avoid the worst of Tokyo’s summer heat.
"For the additional fee, of course we need to discuss with the
IOC," said Tokyo 2020’s finance director Gakuji Ito.
"So, if the IOC agrees to take the burden then they will. If
there is any part IOC is not covering the fee and TOCOG has to
bear, then I think we will use the contingency (fund)."
A 27 billion yen contingency fund included in the budget has
been set aside for potential natural disasters during the event,
such as the typhoon that disrupted the Rugby World Cup in
October.
A decision is expected to be made in the New Year.
“We do have a contingency budget allocated so this is the amount
we have included as an expenditure,” said Ito.
“However, this is not just for the Sapporo issue, it would be
for any large size typhoons that occur before the competition or
things we need to handle before the Games.
"These are things we are not able to forecast so if unexpected
things were to occur then it might exceed 1.35 trillion yen.”
Tokyo 2020’s budget is split between the organizing committee
and local and national governments.
Organizers say the national government was expected to pay some
150 billion yen – mainly for funding of the new National Stadium
– but the expenditure at a national level has been the source of
some debate.
A report from Japan’s Board of Audit earlier this month put
national government spending on the Olympics between the bid in
2013 and 2018 at 1.06 trillion yen.
However, Tokyo 2020 said the disparity was down to different
“definitions of Games-related” costs.
“It was not segregated between Games-related expenses and any
other not directly related items,” said Ito, who added further
clarification was expected from the Board of Audit next year.
The Tokyo Olympics run from July 24 to Aug. 9.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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