COVID-19 - Host City

Spectators denied attendance at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The Olympic Stadium, Tokyo will have no fans in the stands during the Games (Photo: IOC)

The hosts and organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have banned audiences from venues.

The decision followed an announcement of a state of emergency in Tokyo by the Government of Japan until 22 August, amid a surge in cases of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.

The Olympic Games take place from July 23 to August 8.

In a joint statement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and the Government of Japan (GoJ) said: “The state of emergency in Tokyo is being implemented as a measure aimed at suppressing the flow of people in order to prevent the spread of infection now, because the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remains high and the number of people infected with variant COVID-19 strains in Tokyo is increasing.

“In response to the state of emergency, stricter measures with regard to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have also been decided by the three Japanese parties. No spectators will be allowed into any venues in Tokyo during the Olympic Games. Under this policy, in areas where emergency measures are not in force, local government authorities will meet and decide specific measures in consultation with the local governors based on the situation in each area.”

The dramatic move follows a meeting of these five parties on 21 June 2021, the conclusions of which included: “In the event that a state of emergency or other priority measures aimed at preventing infection are implemented at any time after 12 July 2021, restrictions on spectator numbers at the Games, including non-spectator competitions, will be based on the content of the state of emergency or other relevant measures in force at that time.”

The hosts’ and organisers’ decision to exclude fans from venues is backed by the rights holders, the IOC and IPC. “The IOC and the IPC were informed by the Japanese side about the impact of this announcement on the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and supported the policies that were presented by the Japanese parties,” the joint statement said.

“The IOC and IPC, respecting this decision, support it in the interest of safe and secure Games for everybody.

“At the same time, all five parties deeply regret for the athletes and for the spectators that this measure had to be put in place for the reasons outlined above.”

The Tokyo 2020 organising committee had originally been planning on generating US$800 million from ticketing revenues.

Although people won't be watching in the venues, Tokyo 2020 is set to reach a bigger audience than ever through a greatly enhanced digital reach

 

Anxiety and opposition

Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto said: "It is regrettable that we are delivering the Games in a very limited format, facing the spread of coronavirus infections.

"I am sorry for those who purchased tickets.

"Many of the Japanese public were worried about the Covid-19 situation, even with the solid countermeasures, because of the flow of people and because of various concerns.

"The anxiety is being expressed and a lot of people are opposed. Every person is entitled to have every different thought but overriding these differences, athletes will do their best.”

The decision to keep fans out of venues is not irrevocable: “In the event of a significant change in the state of infection, a Five-Party Meeting will be convened immediately to review the spectator capacity,” the statement said.

However, with the state of emergency set to continue until 22 August, it is unlikely that any audiences will be able to attend the Olympic Games.

The policy for the Paralympic Games was due to be decided on 16 July, one week before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. But now, “the decision regarding the admission of Paralympic event spectators will now be taken when the Olympic Games end,” based on the infection situation at the time.

Olympics 2021: Countdown or Count Out?

Will Tokyo's preparations for the Games come to fruition? (Photo: Tokyo-Good, 2019)

In January, Japan set its new single day record for Covid 19 infections and there is polling reported by The Times indicating that 80% of the country’s population are against the Games going ahead. That same newspaper also reports a Japanese government source as saying they are searching for a way out of staging the Games this summer because “the consensus is that it’s too difficult”. Sir Keith Mills, deputy chairman of the London 2012 Games, said earlier this month that it was unlikely the Games would proceed.

The official mood music from those actually involved in the Games' organisation though is much more positive. “Our task is to organise the Games, not to cancel them,” said IOC President, Thomas Bach, earlier this month. “And our task is to make the Olympic dreams of athletes come true. This is why we are working day and night to organise a safe Olympic Games in Tokyo.” So, the focus now appears to be shifting towards how exactly the IOC and the Tokyo organising committee plan to make it happen.

Next week they will publish their “playbook”, a set of strategies and proposals to explain how they see the Games being held this Summer, safely. While Bach had said back in November 2020 he was “very, very confident” that spectators would be able to attend the Games this Summer, there is a growing acceptance that full stadia are unlikely and that stadia with no fans at all are a distinct possibility. When asked earlier this month whether full crowds would be able to cheer on the athletes in Tokyo, Bach replied, “This I cannot tell you. Because our priority is to ensure a safe Olympic Games and we will do whatever is needed to do that. Everybody would love to have full-capacity stadia and the roaring crowds. But if that is not possible we will respect our principles, safety is our first priority.”

Other sporting events, from Europe’s leading football leagues and the NBA to the handball World Championships have been successfully staged in the midst of the pandemic. So there is a body of learning regarding event operations for the Olympic organisers to draw on. The truth though is that none of those events really get close to the scale of the Olympics, with over 200 nations represented and over 15,000 athletes taking part. UEFA’s Euro 2020, itself postponed from last Summer, will probably be the closest in terms of scale but is due to finish a mere two weeks before the Olympics begin, by which time the Olympic plans will be fully crystallised.

Returning to that impending playbook announcement, one can well imagine what measures might be included in there. Social distancing, hygiene and regular testing will be essential pillars. Other possible measures that have been mentioned include a wave system where athletes arrive in the country and depart within a five day window, insistence on a negative Covid 19 test immediately before departure to Japan and, somewhat jarringly, a ban on fans cheering.

Needless to say, there are financial pressures too, with the Tokyo organising committee expecting around USD 800 million in ticket sales and the Japanese government having invested tens of billions of dollars in the event. To the extent those sums are underwritten by the Japanese government, might there be good reason for them to be in favour of a further rescheduling (very difficult) or, dare we say, cancellation? If the event is cancelled, a report in The Times refers to the possibility of Tokyo putting its hat in back in the ring for the next “available” Games, in 2032.

The approach in the sports industry to the Covid crisis from where I have been sitting has in most cases been a sensible and practical one. There have been tough conversations and there have been threats but most stakeholders acknowledge that the pandemic was an unforeseen event, blame for which cannot be laid on a single doorstep. So, the necessary pain has in most cases been shared out. To paraphrase the character in Full Metal Jacket played by John Terry – the US actor, rather than Chelsea’s finest – “It’s a huge $#!@ sandwich and we are all going to have to take a bite.”

My own guess for what it is worth, and it really does have to be a guess at this stage, is that the Games will take place this Summer but with significant restrictions on fans in the stadia, together of course with a host of other virus management measures. If the Games do end up being cancelled, expect the IOC, the organising committee, Japanese government, International Federations and National Olympic Committees, broadcasters, sponsors and athletes all to have their share of an unappetising sandwich.

This opinion editorial was written by Nick White, Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys. Read more insights at www.charlesrussellspeechlys.com

International Federations to play central role in global pandemic recovery

[Source: SportAccord] International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, SportAccord and GAISF President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised sport’s resilience and influence at today’s fully virtual International Federation (IF) Forum 2020, with IFs assured that preparations are being put in place to deliver safe Olympic Games next year.

SportAccord and GAISF President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, referring to the theme of the IF Forum 2020 – ‘How Sport and Society Can Emerge Stronger from a Global Crisis’ – commended sport’s collective response to the pandemic.

“By working together and tapping into the experiences and knowledge of our colleagues across the world today, we have a huge learning resource at our disposal,” Dr. Chiulli said.

“This year has provided many challenges, but I think it is also important to recognise that our movement will be able to look back on 2020 with a lot of pride. I have been truly inspired to see the creativity of International Sport Federations in how they have engaged followers and stakeholders through innovative channels and campaigns.”

The International Olympic Committee President told the IF Forum’s delegates that collaborative work with the organising committee and other partners and stakeholders, including IFs, will ensure Tokyo is “the best prepared Olympic city” for the postponed Games.

He added to IF representatives, who were tuning in worldwide: “The health and safety of all concerned has always been and remains our top priority. Because of the fast-changing situation, we may not yet have all of the answers to the operational questions that are at the top of the minds of all IFs, but please rest assured that we are developing a toolbox of Covid countermeasures for every possible scenario.”

“In this context, the encouraging developments in so-called rapid testing and vaccines give us all good reason for cautious optimism. These developments will greatly facilitate the safe organization and give us additional countermeasure tools. In this way, we are prepared for safe Olympic Games, whatever conditions the world will be facing next summer.”

Dr. Tedros, who has been at the forefront of the international response to the pandemic, pledged WHO’s support to IFs, sports, event organising committees, sportspeople and fans.

“Working with representatives here today, we have issued guidance on running safe events. It calls for a risk-based approach to decide if and how an event should proceed,” Dr. Tedros said.  

“It is up to each of us to reinforce the essential role of sport as an enabler for better health, and WHO continues to strengthen our collaborations with sports entities, Federations and athletes. We are working to ensure that sports can be practiced safely, both at amateur and professional levels.”

The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 has brought together more than 200 leaders from over 125 IFs, with experts providing insights into areas such as crisis management, scenario planning, risk mitigation and staying connected with athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of crisis.

For further information about the IF Forum, click here or download the brochure here, and follow #IFFORUM2020 on TwitterLinkedInFacebook, and YouTube.

WHO’s Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to Deliver IF Forum 2020 Keynote Address

[Source: SportAccord] Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will be a Keynote Speaker at the fully virtual International Federation (IF) Forum 2020 next month, SportAccord has confirmed.

Dr. Tedros, who has been a prominent figure in the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic, will deliver a Keynote Address on the theme of the conference – ‘How Sport and Society Can Emerge Stronger from a Global Crisis’.

Having been elected to serve a five-year term at the helm by WHO Member States in 2017, Dr. Tedros is globally recognised as a health scholar, researcher and diplomat with first-hand experience in research, operations and leadership in emergency responses to epidemics.

The Keynote Address will follow a Welcome Address by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and an Opening Address by Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of SportAccord.

Dr Tedros said: “Sport plays a vital role in our closely connected global community, bringing joy, teamwork, peace and ways to promote the physical and mental health for people of all walks of life.”

“But like many other areas of life, COVID-19 has also turned the sporting world upside down, forcing to us to find new ways to enable people to participate in their favourite sports, while keeping them safe in the process. WHO has been working closely with sporting federations during these challenging times to assess the risks associated with COVID-19 to protect the health of players, staff and fans. We will continue working with you to bring sports back on line safely for all.”

Dr. Chiulli added: “We are very excited to be welcoming Dr. Tedros to the IF Forum. He has played an incredibly important role in the global Covid-19 challenge presented to all of us – including the international sports movement – and we are delighted that he will join us virtually to provide unmissable insights into the role sport can play in helping to drive the broader recovery of society as we hope to move on from the turbulence of this year.”

All of the IF Forum sessions will be streamed online, with SportAccord having adopted a fully virtual format for the event due to ongoing challenges in relation to international travel and in-person gatherings in the context of the pandemic.

More than 30 expert speakers have been lined up to participate in the conference programme. During the packed conference schedule, a range of experts will discuss strategies to drive the recovery of sport following the pandemic whilst establishing game plans that sports leaders can put in place to mitigate challenges that may arise from possible unforeseen disruptions in the future.

Topics that will be debated will include crisis management, scenario planning, how to limit risk from a legal and financial perspective, law-related commercial considerations for IFs and how to stay connected and reassure athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of adversity. 

The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 will bring together more than 200 leaders from over 125 International Sports Federations, with delegates, and speakers.

For further information about the IF Forum, click here or download the brochure here, and follow #IFFORUM2020 on TwitterLinkedInFacebookYouTube and Flickr.

 

Badminton restarts in Denmark with three major international events

[Source: Badminton Denmark] Denmark is going to host three big badminton events when the international Championships and World Tour-tournaments restart after Covid-19. Besides the fact that Denmark is going to host the world championships for men’s and women’s national teams, TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup, and DANISA DENMARK OPEN presented by VICTOR, Badminton Denmark has also been given the task to host another major badminton event.

Since March where the All England was played, in which Viktor Axelsen came out victorious in the men’s singles category, the international top badminton calendar has been cleared due to the Covid-19 situation. But from October 3 to October 25, there will once again be badminton tournaments and championships to look forward to. But in a whole new way and on Danish soil.

The TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup will be held as scheduled from October 3 to October 11 in Aarhus, Denmark. The world championships will then be followed up by the World Tour Super 750-tournament DANISA DENMARK OPEN presented by VICTOR in Odense, Denmark, which will take place from the October 13-18. In the following week from October 20-25, the city of Odense will be hosting another big international tournament as the Super 750-tournament French Open will be moved to Denmark and hosted as Denmark Open II.

This is due to the fact that by Denmark holding all three events, the players and their teams don’t have to cross more borders than most necessary, but also because The Badminton World Federation, BWF, considers Denmark to be able to hold all three events safely.

“We are very pleased about the fact that Denmark is going to be the place where international top badminton restarts after the Covid-19,” Bo Jensen, Director of Badminton Denmark says.

“It is history. It is huge that we are going to host both the Thomas & Uber Cup in Aarhus and two times Denmark Open in Odense. We have been working for a long time to create guidelines and recommendations together with authorities, BWF, and our partners so that we could be able to hold these three big events healthily and responsibly. We are doing everything we can to minimize the risk of infection for the players, audience, judges, volunteers, and others involved.”

Some of those initiatives that will help minimize the risk of infection will be by making different colour zones so that different groups will be separated the most. Badminton Denmark will also make area divisions for the audience, unidirectional walkways, place sanitizer everywhere as well as making temperature scanning’s before entering the hall

Furthermore, will everyone in the green colour zone (players, judges, official, tournament management, etc.) be Covid-19 tested continuously throughout the three weeks. Badminton Denmark collaborates with KMD for the purpose and has also bought test kits and two machines for test development, which will make us able to test key actors and get the result within 20 minutes.

In addition to this, general recommendations from the authorities and guidelines will be complied with. All audience will before these events receive practical information about this. For example, concerning toilet facilities, purchase of food, traffic information, and recommendations concerning mouthpieces and the stop-infection-app.

“We have been given a unique and historical opportunity to become the first European country to host the Thomas & Uber Cup and to hold two World Tour tournaments in a row,” says Jensen. “It will take a huge effort from my staff to lift this task. It is a task that we are very humble towards and we wish to do our absolute best to solve it at the highest level as possible so that our audience can feel safe at these events. Therefore, we introduce several initiatives, which will help all of us to enjoy world-class badminton.”

BWF’s Secretary General, Thomas Lund, is pleased about the fact that months of work soon will bear fruit at respectively Ceres Park & Arena, Aarhus, and Odense Idrætshal, Odense.

“Managing travel logistics between different territories where different entry and safety restrictions apply has been the biggest challenge. Therefore, an adjusted tournament calendar was developed. We look forward to the return of international badminton and we thank all parties and participants involved in the planning process,” he says.

Exactly how many spectators which will be able to watch the TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup and DANISA DENMARK OPEN presented by VICTOR-tournaments depends on the political negotiations, which are going on these days. Badminton Denmark will send out more information this when the political parties have a conclusion.

COVID-19 barrier face covering launch aims to bring people back into events

[Source: AnyBrand] HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 Swiss based technology has been tested effective against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in the laboratory and the ISO tested 18184, which is added to the fabric during the final stage of the textile manufacturing process.

COVID-19 has been shown to spread through air-borne transmission. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that containing the virus at source and point of entry, with a face covering, significantly reduces this risk of contamination. HeiQ Viroblock treated materials destroy viruses on contact, significantly reducing the chance for re-transmission through touch, also increasing the effectiveness of face coverings by a factor of 20.

AnyBrand founder Colin Graham states:

“The new every-day problems we face need high tech and sustainable solutions. Partnering with HeiQ allows us to do this with a unique and invaluable edge.” 

“We don’t have the cure all solution, but we do have a ‘silver bullet’ that could make the all-important difference to minimise the social distancing requirement that has decimated the live events sector.”

“We believe our brandable face coverings present live events with a better chance of accelerating the reopening of its doors with higher capacity audiences, when used alongside other COVID-19 safety measures.”

Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ Group, said: 

“We are pleased to partner with AnyBrand in the UK to develop life-saving products and applications for our technology.” 

The products are certified as safe and sustainable. All ingredients are cosmetic grade (INCI), bio-based, re-useable, lasting at least 30 gentle washes at 60°C, and recyclable.

The first face coverings have arrived in the UK this week and AnyBrand is geared up to deliver large quantities of a variety of specifically branded, reusable face coverings within weeks.

Tokyo Games can be the “great symbol of hope”

At a time when the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would have just been launching the opening ceremony, IOC President Thomas Bach gave an upbeat prognosis for the delayed mega event via a video message.

"It can and will be the great comeback festival of sport to the international scene,” he said.

"These Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 in 2021, can, should and will be the light at the end of the tunnel that all humankind is in at this moment.

"We are living a period of great uncertainty. Then at the end of this very difficult period for humankind, the Olympic Games can be a great symbol of hope, of optimism, of solidarity and of unity in all of our diversity.

The disruption caused by Covid-19 creates unique challenges for all event organisers and staging the Olympic Games will be a challenge even with an additional year of preparation time.

"This is a mammoth task because we cannot prepare Olympic Games as we are used to. In fact, we have to prepare for multiple scenarios of Olympic Games. We have to take all of this into account – what could happen, what may happen.”

 

Safeguarding health

The safety of athletes is the guiding principle in the delivery of the Games, Bach said.

"This is the top priority – the Olympic Games will respect and safeguard the health of all of the participants.

"We want to prepare these Games, adapt it to the circumstances of the crisis at the time, while ensuring for everybody the Olympic spirit, because this is what makes the Olympic Games so unique, uniting the entire world. This spirit has to be and will be reflected.

"All the adaptations we may have to make will not affect venues, sports or the athletes, so we can give the athletes the stage to shine that they deserve.”

 

Tokyo 2020 as a post-Covid role model

Toshiro Muto, CEO of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee also gave a video message, in which he suggested that this dark cloud might have a silver lining.

“It is rather difficult for us to expect that the coronavirus pandemic will be contained, but if we can deliver the Tokyo Games and Paralympics ‘with coronavirus’ I think the Tokyo Games will become a role model for the next Olympic Games or other various international events,” he said.

“I strongly hope that this will make a mark – this will become a legacy for the history of mankind.”

 

The video messages were shared on 23rd July 2020. Credit: IOC, via sources: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/videos/tokyo-olympics-symbol-of-hope-covid-19-pandemic-thomas-bach-toshiro-muto/article32169344.ece# and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkzI8NeG3bY

IF Forum 2020 to Debate How Sport and Society Can Emerge Stronger Following Global Crisis

[Source: SportAccord] Experts will discuss strategies to drive the recovery of sport following the Covid-19 pandemic whilst establishing game plans that sports leaders can put in place to mitigate challenges that may arise from possible unforeseen disruptions in the future.

Topics that will be debated will include crisis management, scenario planning, how to limit risk from a legal and financial perspective, law-related commercial considerations for IFs and how to stay connected and reassure athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of adversity.

International Sport Federation and Partner registration is open for this year’s edition of the annual IF Forum, which is organised by SportAccord for International Sport Federations and their Stakeholders is supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Further details about the IF Forum 2020 conference programme, speakers and participants will be announced in the coming weeks.

SportAccord and GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli said: “The IF Forum will be a vital signpost for the global sports movement in a turbulent 2020 and thoughts turn to a brighter future. As an integral part of communities worldwide, sport will play a crucial broader role as societies and economies emerge from the Covid-19 crisis."

“All of sport’s custodians and decision-makers have an important part to play in coming together to inspire positive change whilst safeguarding against future challenges, and the IF Forum 2020 in Lausanne will serve as an essential starting point.”

The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 will bring together 300 leaders from 125 International Sports Federations, with delegates, speakers and exclusive Official IF Forum Partners discussing best practice in an intimate environment.

Presentation slots have been scheduled over the course of the programme as part of exclusive rights and benefits available to Partners of the invitation-only event.

The IF Forum 2020 will also feature numerous other opportunities for Partners to engage directly with sport’s decision-makers, including VIP functions and social activities for networking.

To discuss partnership opportunities and take advantage of exclusive access to the IF Forum, contact our Sales Team by email at sales@sportaccord.sport or by phone at +41 21 612 30 79.

For further information about the IF Forum, please download the brochure here or visit: https://www.sportaccord.sport/if-forum.

For media enquiries, please contact: media@sportaccord.sport

Follow #IFFORUM2020 on TwitterLinkedInFacebookYouTube and Flickr.

Major event hosts and the ‘new normal’

[Source: IAEH] During the 2020 IAEH AGM, held virtually on 8th July, members discussed how the 'new normal' is going to look like for major event hosts.

The discussions happened in 5 breakout rooms moderated by IAEH directors. The conversations were around how members expect the processes of bidding for and hosting major events to change after the pandemic. The IAEH offered members the opportunity to speak and share insights aiming to understand how the Association can help members address the challenges imposed by COVID-19 in the short-term future.

The key points below summarise the discussions.

 

→ Focus on domestic events

Members see a change in focus towards building the industry with local, domestic/national before moving to regional/international events. In addition to that, members also see value in promoting hybrid events in the short-term future to be able to engage international audiences.

 

→ Sharing financial risk

Members expect a movement towards a more equal approach to sharing the financial risk between rights holders and host destinations. There is also a need to review the current contracts which may reflect in the way these contracts will be made in the future.

 

→ Bespoke approach

It is necessary to take a bespoke approach to events and conduct case-by-case analysis in order to find the right applicable solution to COVID-19 imposed challenges for each specific event.

 

→ Protect what you have

When it comes to bidding and hosting, members are focused on events they have already committed to host and on delivering those events in the best way possible considering the current restrictions – “It’s all about protecting what you have”.

 

→ Percentage budget cut

The percentage cut in members budget for the following 12 months varies between 0 and 65%. Some members reported that there may be an increase in budget to help comply with new COVID-19 imposed regulations and stimulate economic recovery.

 

→ Milestone payments

Members see milestone payment systems as a potential solution to dealing with bidding and hosting fees moving forward.

 

→ Information sharing is key

Members are highly interested in training, information sharing and interaction with other IAEH members, especially on ‘new normal functioning’ e.g. best practice on health protocols for events and digital event impact measurement.

 

 → Shift in priorities

Residents’ sentiments and community value are rising up in members’ priorities when bidding for and hosting an event.

Getting fans safely back into stadia

Dragongateway, a company with an all British Management team, is leading an international consortium to launch a pandemic management solution called Rebuild The Chain (RTC). RTC Sport and Entertainment are two COVID19 mobile-led applications aimed at bringing sports fans and audiences back to live sport and entertainment. RTC is a suite of COVID19 back-to-business solutions which includes Government, Sport and Live Entertainment applications deployed across entire countries, professional sports leagues, Festivals & live events respectively.  RTC satisfies economic and emotional needs to rebuild and future proof businesses against COVID19 and future pandemics.

In brief, RTC Sport and RTC Entertainment create a ‘Safe Zone’ or COVID free zone around a venue(s) in which no person or surface is COVID infected.  The two applications are similar in that they harness the speed, efficiency and accuracy of rapid test kits (98.6% accuracy), a mobile app, appropriate PPE and the security of blockchain technology.  The latter meaning that not only is fan/audience data GDPR compliant it is also absolutely secure.

With a global network of contacts and suppliers, RTC offers all the latest COVID safety tech such as thermal cameras, sanitiser mist tunnels and so on to ensure the public feels as safe as is currently possible. At events, real-time test kits mean consumers’  ‘safe status’ is uploaded immediately to their smartphone to be checked by stewards at a Green Zone checkpoint and again as they enter the venue at ticket collection.

Sonya Kapur, a Dragongateway Director, said: “We aim to enable fans and audiences to safely return to the sports, festivals and concerts they love.  We plan to target major professional sports and their leagues such as the Premier League and major events such as the Olympics, Euros or World Cup test events.  From the world of entertainment, we can create safe zones for Festivals like Glastonbury, arena tours, concert venues and even b2b conferences/exhibitions like Consumer Electronics Show or Mobile World Congress.”

She continues. We are currently in contractual discussions with several countries to deploy RTC Government across entire countries. So our ambitions within sport and entertainment in the UK, Europe and even further afield are well within our capabilities.  All our applications will be modified to reflect local government guidelines and client needs.

The application of Blockchain technology is just one of the reasons which differentiate RTC from its competitors. Data safety remains a hot topic amongst consumers and continues to fuel debate around the Government’s Track and Track application.

A spokesman for Accubits, the specialist behind RTC’s blockchain capability, said, “RTC the pandemic management platform from Accubits Inc., is a focused privacy platform that ensures decentralised data storage and data security. The data governance policy of the platform ensures that all data is encrypted and securely stored on infrastructure as per the data laws of the government implementing it.”

This holistic approach to create RTC, the pandemic management solution, stems from a collaborative approach taken by five international companies led by Dragongateway; and includes Accubits Inc, FutureTech, Nexus and LL Consultancy.