International Olympic Committee confident 2020 Tokyo Games won’t be tainted by doping
IOC vice president John Coates said Wednesday that Japan had “one of the finest records” in the world when it comes to the fight against doping.
“You’ve got legislation with the parliament to further strengthen your anti-doping regime so I don’t think you need to hold any fears about the anti-doping environment that the organizing committee, Japan sports and the government will provide,” Coates said on the final day of a three-day evaluation of Tokyo’s preparations.
Coates said Japanese organizers have fulfilled their obligations to provide anti-doping at the highest level with an accredited laboratory.
“We can’t be relaxed but you’ve certainly laid the groundwork for many, many years for an anti-doping system for the Tokyo Games that will be of the highest integrity,” said Coates, who chairs the 2020 coordination commission.
Coates’ comments come after the IOC ruled last week that all Russians must compete under the Olympic flag as “Olympic Athletes from Russia” at the upcoming Pyeongchang Games following accusations of a state-sponsored doping scheme at the 2014 Sochi Games.
Despite the ban, Russian officials still expect more than 200 of their athletes to compete in South Korea.
Coates also spoke about the need for Tokyo organizers to cut costs for the games.
The IOC is seeking to make the games more affordable as part of President Thomas Bach’s “Agenda 2020” reforms. In a bid to cut costs, Tokyo organizers have moved several events to existing facilities in neighboring prefectures.
Coates said the final budget for Tokyo is projected at $12 billion.