The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is publishing a series of playbooks for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, outlining all of the various restrictions being put in place to run the event safely amidst the pandemic.
The first playbook, targeting international federations and technical officials, was released on Feb. 3, and last Thursday, the committee released two more.
The IOC published both its playbook for broadcasters and for the remaining press, with a lot of the information on travel, testing and contact tracing the same as the first playbook.
The main principles for the Games reiterates what we’ve been instructed to do throughout the pandemic: “It is important to minimize social interaction, wear a mask, and avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closed, crowded or involve a close contact.”
The key in these playbooks for the media was the regulations in terms of contact with athletes throughout the Games, in terms of both watching events and interviews.
Rights-holding broadcasters maintain their right to conduct interviews and film athletes in the mixed zones, while any interviews done at the International Broadcast Center will require temperature checks, guaranteed physical distancing and the “highest standards of sanitation and personal protection equipment” (which will have more details later).
Mixed zone interviews will also have a maximum TV crew of two people, and boom mics will be mandatory to ensure a two-meter distance between the athlete and interviewer.
Capacities for various broadcast facilities, including mixed zones, commentary positions and observer seats, will be adjusted to comply with physical distancing measures.
The IOC says there will be “an average loss of 50 percent in capacity” for all press and photo areas compared to usual, meaning every member of the media will need to make daily requests in advance in order to have access to competition venues.
There will also not be virtual accreditation for media, as the IOC wants to reward those making the effort to attend.
An expansion of these playbooks and further details are expected to come in April.
