October 23, 2020
1 min read

Athletes from hotspots will be allowed: IOC Chief

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach says he doesn’t expect countries to pull out of next year’s Tokyo Olympics due to Covid pandemic and that athletes too won’t be barred if they test negative.

The Olympics are set to be held from July 23 to August 8 next year after being postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but leading health experts have, over the past few months, expressed doubts on whether the Games can be held without a vaccine for the virus.

Bach said that athletes who would be travelling to Tokyo from countries that have a high amount of infections won’t be barred from participating in the Games.

“Athletes do not bear responsibility for the virus,” said Bach in an Instagram chat with German javelin thrower Johannes Vetter.

“If they test negative and follow the safety regulations, they should have the opportunity to participate. I also do not expect countries to opt out. All 206 National Olympic Committees affiliated with the IOC are determined and full of anticipation.”

Bach also said that the organisers are planning testing centres at the athletes’ village, which will be treated as a bio-secure bubble.

“The athletes village is the beating heart of the Games, but this time it will not have the social function that we are used to,” said Bach.

Also Read: IOC lauds Abe’s role in Olympics’ preparedness

Also Read: Qatar to bid for Olympics 2032

Previous Story

Biden warns of ‘dark winter’ if Trump stays in power

Next Story

Climate change: Trump puts blame on India, China, Russia

Latest from Sport

Leeds Lift Off

The win marked Leeds’ third of the season, lifting them to 13th place in the table Leeds United returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over

Big Guns Aim Higher

Alexander Isak is out with a hip injury, but Ryan Gravenberch should be fit after limping off against Manchester United last weekend….reports Asian Lite News The weekend round of Premier League matches

Brook Eager to Roll On

With ODIs, the Ashes, Sri Lanka and a T20 World Cup ahead, Brook says England’s depth and balance make them ready for the challenge….reports Asian Lite News England’s Harry Brook is confident

Sai’s Time Is Coming!

Sudharsan, soon to turn 24, faces mounting pressure to justify his place at number three, considering the stakes are forever high in Indian cricket’s unforgiving selection landscape, as seen from cases of

Sushma Brushes Off Batting Blues

Though the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal have a run-rate of 6.05, it sharply goes down to only 4.32 when the latter and Harleen Deol are batting together, which
Go toTop