All the venues for the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=2020+Olympic">Tokyo 2020 Olympic</a> and Paralympic Games will be 100 per cent smoke-free, the organisers said on Thursday.&nbsp;

The ruling is part of dramatic changes taking place in Japan, which lags many countries in efforts to fight smoking, with attempts to tackle tobacco often stymied by pro-smoking politicians, restaurateurs and Japan Tobacco, which is one-third owned by the government.&nbsp;

At most sporting venues in Japan, there are designated areas for smokers to use but this will not be the case at Tokyo 2020.&nbsp;

"Based on the development of the law and regulations and guidance from the IOC, Tokyo 2020 has decided to adopt a stricter non-smoking policy to protect the health and safety of athletes, spectators and officials," the organisers said in a statement.

"(Tokyo 2020) will ban smoking in indoor venues, outdoor venues and in venues’ secure perimeters operated by Tokyo 2020 – a similar policy to that enacted during the Olympic Winter Games&nbsp;PyeongChang 2018."

"Tokyo 2020 aims to leave a legacy of improved public health for the country at large."

Unlike at London 2012 and Rio 2016, there will not even be designated smoking areas outside of venues as Tokyo pushes to improve its image as one of the smokiest cities in the developed world.

Less than a fifth of Japanese smoke today, down from about half the population 50 years ago yet activists say about 15,000 Japanese, many of them women and children, die from passive smoking every year.

Changes in Japan are slowly being made.

In 2018, Japan’s parliament passed a watered-down version of a health ministry proposal to limit secondhand smoke, which allows smoking in more places than the original proposal, including in roughly half of eateries.

A stricter bill passed by Tokyo that will come into effect next year will make more than 80 per cent of eateries smoke-free.

Smoking is banned in schools and hospitals, but they can provide outdoor smoking spaces. Japan's Health Ministry removed its last cigarette vending machine in 2018.

All the venues for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be 100 per cent smoke-free, the organisers said on Thursday. The ruling is part of dramatic changes taking place in Japan, which lags many countries in efforts to fight smoking, with attempts to tackle tobacco often stymied by pro-smoking politicians, restaurateurs and Japan Tobacco, which is one-third owned by the government.

All the venues for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be 100 per cent smoke-free, the organisers said on Thursday. The ruling is part of dramatic changes taking place in Japan, which lags many countries in efforts to fight smoking, with attempts to tackle tobacco often stymied by pro-smoking politicians, restaurateurs and Japan Tobacco, which is one-third owned by the government. At most sporting venues in Japan, there are designated areas for smokers to use but this will not be the case at Tokyo 2020. "Based on the development of the law and regulations and guidance from the IOC, Tokyo 2020 has decided to adopt a stricter non-smoking policy to protect the health and safety of athletes, spectators and officials," the organisers said in a statement. "(Tokyo 2020) will ban smoking in indoor venues, outdoor venues and in venues’ secure perimeters operated by Tokyo 2020 – a similar policy to that enacted during the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018." "Tokyo 2020 aims to leave a legacy of improved public health for the country at large." Unlike at London 2012 and Rio 2016, there will not even be designated smoking areas outside of venues as Tokyo pushes to improve its image as one of the smokiest cities in the developed world. Less than a fifth of Japanese smoke today, down from about half the population 50 years ago yet activists say about 15,000 Japanese, many of them women and children, die from passive smoking every year. Changes in Japan are slowly being made. In 2018, Japan’s parliament passed a watered-down version of a health ministry proposal to limit secondhand smoke, which allows smoking in more places than the original proposal, including in roughly half of eateries. A stricter bill passed by Tokyo that will come into effect next year will make more than 80 per cent of eateries smoke-free. Smoking is banned in schools and hospitals, but they can provide outdoor smoking spaces. Japan's Health Ministry removed its last cigarette vending machine in 2018.

Tokyo 2020 venues to be 100 % smoke-free: Organisers

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers said Friday that tests using underwater "screens" to filter water had successfully reduced bacteria at a venue for triathlon and marathon swimming.

The announcement comes after organisers revealed last year that prolonged summer rain had temporarily brought high levels of bacteria into the waters in Tokyo's Odaiba Bay.

Samples taken between July and September last year showed levels of e-coli bacteria more than 20 times higher than international standards, raising concerns about the safety of the venue.

In a bid to reassure competitors, organisers began testing this summer a system that uses screens to effectively quarantine an event area and filter the water inside.

They tested the use of single and triple-layer underwater screens, reportedly 20 metres (66 feet) long and three metres wide, during July and August, when the Games will be held in 2020.

"The triple-layer screens were shown to reduce the quantity of coliforms to well within targeted levels,' the organisers said in a statement.

The single-layer screens also reduced levels, but not always to within the target figure.

"It's obvious that triple-layer screens were effective on coliforms considered most problematic," Hidemasa Nakamura, executive director of sports unit, told reporters.

"We don't know yet exactly in what forms, but we are planning to use the screens at the 2020 Games," he added.

Officials said the testing process had cost 75 million yen ($660,000) and that bacteria levels in the water were higher this year because a series of typhoons had caused heavy rain and sewage runoff.

John Coates, vice president of International Olympic Committee, warned during his Tokyo visit last year that the Japanese capital should prepare for the worst possible weather conditions.

This year, beaches in Odaiba were opened for swimming for nine days as a trial, with the water quality checked daily.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers said Friday that tests using underwater "screens" to filter water had successfully reduced bacteria at a venue for triathlon and marathon swimming.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers said Friday that tests using underwater "screens" to filter water had successfully reduced bacteria at a venue for triathlon and marathon swimming. The announcement comes after organisers revealed last year that prolonged summer rain had temporarily brought high levels of bacteria into the waters in Tokyo's Odaiba Bay. Samples taken between July and September last year showed levels of e-coli bacteria more than 20 times higher than international standards, raising concerns about the safety of the venue. In a bid to reassure competitors, organisers began testing this summer a system that uses screens to effectively quarantine an event area and filter the water inside. They tested the use of single and triple-layer underwater screens, reportedly 20 metres (66 feet) long and three metres wide, during July and August, when the Games will be held in 2020. "The triple-layer screens were shown to reduce the quantity of coliforms to well within targeted levels,' the organisers said in a statement. The single-layer screens also reduced levels, but not always to within the target figure. "It's obvious that triple-layer screens were effective on coliforms considered most problematic," Hidemasa Nakamura, executive director of sports unit, told reporters. "We don't know yet exactly in what forms, but we are planning to use the screens at the 2020 Games," he added. Officials said the testing process had cost 75 million yen ($660,000) and that bacteria levels in the water were higher this year because a series of typhoons had caused heavy rain and sewage runoff. John Coates, vice president of International Olympic Committee, warned during his Tokyo visit last year that the Japanese capital should prepare for the worst possible weather conditions. This year, beaches in Odaiba were opened for swimming for nine days as a trial, with the water quality checked daily.

Tokyo 2020 says venue water safe after 'screens' installed

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event. 
 
"I have been in contact with the Japanese authorities; Tokyo is a safe place, with first class construction, technology and people with experience, we are confident that the Games will succeed," Thomas Bach said at a press conference in Mexico City. 
 
When asked about whether the recent natural disasters in Japan, including an earthquake on September 25 in Hokkaido, will affect the Olympics, Bach responded no and praised Japan for its good work. 
 
On Thursday morning, the Olympic president met with the president-elect of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who told Bach of his idea about prioritising sports during his six-year mandate starting from this December.

Bach then toured the venues of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968 and met with Mexican Olympic athletes of that time.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday expressed his confidence in the success of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and praised Japan for its good conditions to organize the sports event. "I have been in contact with the Japanese authorities; Tokyo is a safe place, with first class construction, technology and people with experience, we are confident that the Games will succeed," Thomas Bach said at a press conference in Mexico City. When asked about whether the recent natural disasters in Japan, including an earthquake on September 25 in Hokkaido, will affect the Olympics, Bach responded no and praised Japan for its good work. On Thursday morning, the Olympic president met with the president-elect of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who told Bach of his idea about prioritising sports during his six-year mandate starting from this December. Bach then toured the venues of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968 and met with Mexican Olympic athletes of that time.

Thomas Bach says he is confident of the success of Tokyo Olympic Games

Tokyo&#39;s organising committee is aiming to collect eight tonnes of gold, silver and bronze at recycling bins across Japan

Tokyo Olympic organisers on Wednesday called on the Japanese public to donate old smartphones and other old electronic devices to help make medals for the 2020 Games.

In a push to give the Olympics an environmentally friendly hue, Tokyo&#39;s organising committee is aiming to collect eight tonnes of gold, silver and bronze at recycling bins across Japan from April, officials said, to make 5,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals.

Tokyo 2020 said e-waste such as digital cameras, laptops and games units can also be donated at collection boxes in more than 2,000 stores of mobile phone giant and Olympic sponsor NTT Docomo.

Recycled metals have been used in previous years to make Olympic medals, including in Rio last year where the silver and bronze medals were 30 percent made from recycled materials.&nbsp;

&quot;An Olympic medal is one of the most coveted items in existence,&quot; American two-time Olympic decathlete champion Ashton Eaton said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;People spend decades, often agonising ones, working to obtain one,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Organisers insisted they would look to keep costs as low as possible with Tokyo&#39;s preparations for the Games plagued by concerns over soaring prices.

Experts had warned the total Games budget could hit an eye-watering $30 billion -- four times the initial estimate and almost triple that of the 2012 London Olympics.

In response, organisers unveiled a streamlined budget of just under $17 billion in December.

Officials will be hoping for smoother progress in the run-up to 2020 after a series of embarrassing gaffes since beating Madrid and Istanbul in the race to host the Olympics.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scrapped plans for the main stadium in July 2015 over its $2 billion price tag.

Claims of plagiarism then forced them to ditch the Olympic logo, before French prosecutors launched an investigation into how Tokyo won its bid. Japanese Olympic officials deny any wrongdoing.

(AFP)

Tokyo's organising committee is aiming to collect eight tonnes of gold, silver and bronze at recycling bins across Japan

Tokyo's organising committee is aiming to collect eight tonnes of gold, silver and bronze at recycling bins across Japan Tokyo Olympic organisers on Wednesday called on the Japanese public to donate old smartphones and other old electronic devices to help make medals for the 2020 Games. In a push to give the Olympics an environmentally friendly hue, Tokyo's organising committee is aiming to collect eight tonnes of gold, silver and bronze at recycling bins across Japan from April, officials said, to make 5,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals. Tokyo 2020 said e-waste such as digital cameras, laptops and games units can also be donated at collection boxes in more than 2,000 stores of mobile phone giant and Olympic sponsor NTT Docomo. Recycled metals have been used in previous years to make Olympic medals, including in Rio last year where the silver and bronze medals were 30 percent made from recycled materials. "An Olympic medal is one of the most coveted items in existence," American two-time Olympic decathlete champion Ashton Eaton said. "People spend decades, often agonising ones, working to obtain one," he added. Organisers insisted they would look to keep costs as low as possible with Tokyo's preparations for the Games plagued by concerns over soaring prices. Experts had warned the total Games budget could hit an eye-watering $30 billion -- four times the initial estimate and almost triple that of the 2012 London Olympics. In response, organisers unveiled a streamlined budget of just under $17 billion in December. Officials will be hoping for smoother progress in the run-up to 2020 after a series of embarrassing gaffes since beating Madrid and Istanbul in the race to host the Olympics. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scrapped plans for the main stadium in July 2015 over its $2 billion price tag. Claims of plagiarism then forced them to ditch the Olympic logo, before French prosecutors launched an investigation into how Tokyo won its bid. Japanese Olympic officials deny any wrongdoing. (AFP)

Olympics 2020: Tokyo asks public to donate old smartphones for medals

Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were taken by surprise by the International Olympic Committee&#39;s (IOC) decision to approve a Japanese proposal and recommend the inclusion of five sports in four years&#39; time, Games chief Yoshiro Mori said today. 
 
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the IOC to monitor progress, Mori also said the Olympic body had no questions over a payment during its successful bid to host the 2020 Games that had triggered an investigation back home. 
 
On Wednesday the IOC approved Tokyo&#39;s proposal for five more sports, with baseball/softball, skateboarding, surfing, climbing and karate to feature at the Games in 2020. 
 
The IOC must now rubber-stamp the decision at its session in Rio de Janeiro in August. 
 
&quot;We planned to make the presentation (for the new sports)... but the IOC took the decision when I was up in the clouds travelling from Tokyo,&quot; Mori told reporters. 
 
&quot;I felt like a heavenly feeling. I felt like up in the clouds because it is a package approval.&quot; 
 
As part of sweeping reforms initiated in 2014, Olympic hosts can bring in sports popular in their countries to boost ratings and attract greater sponsorship as well as a younger generation of fans. 
 
Mori said organisers now would start work on pinning down venues and would present progress reports during the IOC session in Rio. 
 
&quot;We will have to consult with the stakeholders,&quot; Mori said. &quot;We will have to bring something as a result of the work. We have to prepare.&quot; 
 
He said potential venues for all five sports had already been identified and presented to the IOC. 
 
&quot;We have looked into various candidate sites and IOC experts have seen them. They have scored the various candidate sites.&quot; 
 
Mori said the IOC did not ask questions regarding payments of more than $2.0 million to a Singapore bank account during the bidding process in 2012-13. 
 
&quot;Not at all,&quot; he responded when asked whether the issue was raised by the IOC Executive Board. 
 
The account was controlled by a friend of Papa Massata Diack, son of disgraced former international athletics chief president Lamine Diack. 
 
Tsunekazu Takeda, leader of the group that won Tokyo the Summer Games, has said the payments were legitimate consultancy fees, checked by auditors. 
 
French authorities are investigating Diack senior for alleged corruption, and the Japanese Olympic committee (JOC) has launched its own investigation into the 2020 bid process. 
 
The IOC said last week it saw no reason to doubt assurances from Tokyo about the legitimacy of payments.

The International Olympics committee left organisers of Tokyo Olympics 2020 surprised as they approved the recommendation to include new sports

Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were taken by surprise by the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to approve a Japanese proposal and recommend the inclusion of five sports in four years' time, Games chief Yoshiro Mori said today. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the IOC to monitor progress, Mori also said the Olympic body had no questions over a payment during its successful bid to host the 2020 Games that had triggered an investigation back home. On Wednesday the IOC approved Tokyo's proposal for five more sports, with baseball/softball, skateboarding, surfing, climbing and karate to feature at the Games in 2020. The IOC must now rubber-stamp the decision at its session in Rio de Janeiro in August. "We planned to make the presentation (for the new sports)... but the IOC took the decision when I was up in the clouds travelling from Tokyo," Mori told reporters. "I felt like a heavenly feeling. I felt like up in the clouds because it is a package approval." As part of sweeping reforms initiated in 2014, Olympic hosts can bring in sports popular in their countries to boost ratings and attract greater sponsorship as well as a younger generation of fans. Mori said organisers now would start work on pinning down venues and would present progress reports during the IOC session in Rio. "We will have to consult with the stakeholders," Mori said. "We will have to bring something as a result of the work. We have to prepare." He said potential venues for all five sports had already been identified and presented to the IOC. "We have looked into various candidate sites and IOC experts have seen them. They have scored the various candidate sites." Mori said the IOC did not ask questions regarding payments of more than $2.0 million to a Singapore bank account during the bidding process in 2012-13. "Not at all," he responded when asked whether the issue was raised by the IOC Executive Board. The account was controlled by a friend of Papa Massata Diack, son of disgraced former international athletics chief president Lamine Diack. Tsunekazu Takeda, leader of the group that won Tokyo the Summer Games, has said the payments were legitimate consultancy fees, checked by auditors. French authorities are investigating Diack senior for alleged corruption, and the Japanese Olympic committee (JOC) has launched its own investigation into the 2020 bid process. The IOC said last week it saw no reason to doubt assurances from Tokyo about the legitimacy of payments.

5 new sports included in Tokyo Olympics 2020

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Tokyo 2020 venues to be 100 % smoke-free: Organisers

Tokyo 2020 says venue water safe after 'screens' installed

Thomas Bach says he is confident of the success of Tokyo Olympic Games

Olympics 2020: Tokyo asks public to donate old smartphones for medals

5 new sports included in Tokyo Olympics 2020