According to the organisers, The Tokyo Olympics, delayed because
of the coronavirus, will cost at least $2.4 billion extra in 2021 because of
the postponement itself as well as COVID-19 related measures that have already bloated
up an outsized budget, AFP reported.

In Japan, the previous budget of $13 billion
being stretched further can possibly harden public opinion about the games,
with polls this year displaying most people to be favouring another
postponement or an altogether cancellation of the Olympics.

Also read: No mandatory coronavirus vaccine for Tokyo Olympics: IOC chief Bach

“Whether
it’s seen as too much or that we have done well to contain the costs, I think
it depends on how you look at it,” AFP quoted the CEO of Tokyo 2020
Toshiro Moto as saying.

Estimates
calculate another $1.5 billion to be spent for operational measures and $900 million
for restrictive measures against COVID-19.

Also read: Tokyo Olympics organisers to refund 18% of tickets sold in Japan

The
budget was set last year to be $13 billion, while an audit revealed last year
that the national government was spending significantly more than planned.

Reportedly,
the extra costs will be split up between Tokyo, the organising committee and government.

Organisers have tried to scale back
elements of the Games, offering fewer free tickets, scrapping athlete welcome
ceremonies and making savings on mascots, banners and meals, but so far they
have cut just $280 million in spending.

On Thursday, they further stated that of
all the tickets sold, about 18% would be refunded. The domestic fans in the
country had earlier demanded a refund for about 810,000 tickets of the total
4.45 million.