TOKYO: Organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics insist construction delays at two key venues will have no imp­act on preparations for the games, including test events.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) said last month construction of the Aquatics Center and the Sea Forest Waterway will be delayed by two months. This led to reports organisers would have to reshuffle test event schedules.

“A recent media report is causing confusion about Tokyo 2020’s test event schedule,” said Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya. “Despite the TMG’s annou­ncement last month that construction of the Aquatics Center and the Sea Forest Waterway will be delayed by two months, both the TMG and Tokyo 2020 can confirm that the construction schedule will have no impact on preparations or running test events.”

Takaya said the Sea Forest Waterway, which will host rowing, will be completed in May 2019, allowing for the test event to be carried out in August.

The Aquatics Center is due for completion in February 2020.

“Overall, Tokyo 2020 is right on track to deliver the Games in two years’ time,” Takaya said. “Our report to the IOC Board was well received, and the IOC recognised that venue preparations are being carried out with an emphasis on management and quality.”

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2018