November 17, 2020
1 min read

Safe Environment For Spectators IOC’s Priority: Thomas Bach

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach believes that the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games can be held safely and, in all likelihood, with some kind of crowd inside the venues next year.

Bach, who is on his first visit to Japan since the COVID-19 pandemic broke, on Monday said the nation had shown they can organise sporting events in a safe environment through recent competitions, which has given him the belief that the Games will go on with spectators present.

“We are looking for a reasonable number of spectators at the time of the Games”, tokyo2020.org quoted Bach as saying at a press conference following the first day of the Games’ Project Review.

“You can organise safe sports events. We have seen in the professional leagues, particularly in baseball, games already under the restrictions now with spectators that have been very successful. Of course everybody in the Olympic Games would like a full house, a full-capacity stadium. But the top priority of the IOC and of the organising committee has always been, and remains, to offer a safe environment – also for spectators,” he added.

Bach also said that if a vaccine becomes available in time for the July 23-August 8 Games in 2021, the IOC would foot the bill.

Earlier in the day, Bach met with both Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko, saying the IOC was “fully aligned” with them on how the Games should be run.

Prime Minister Suga assured Bach: “Our determination is to realise successful and secure Tokyo Games next summer as proof that humanity has defeated the virus.”

Bach added: “We share the great commitment of the Prime Minister that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will happen next year. We are determined that safe Olympic Games will be a symbol of solidarity and unity.”

Before attending the Project Review at the headquarters of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, Bach was at the Japanese Olympic Museum, where he awarded the former Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, the Olympic Order in Gold.

Also Read: ‘Organisers are determined to hold the Olympics’

Previous Story

UN calls for peace in Tigray

Next Story

MPL to be team India’s kit sponsors till 2023

Latest from Sport

Liverpool Eyes Carabao Comeback 

Tiredness will be a factor for Liverpool, who lost full-back Trent Alexander Arnold with a knee injury on Tuesday and have his logical replacement, Conor Bradley also injured,  This weekend’s Carabao Cup

Redemption for India 

India’s triumph marks their first ICC ODI title in 12 years, serving as a soothing balm for the team and its passionate fans after the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023

Kiwis Soar to Final, India Awaits 

Ravindra, Williamson power NZ to record total as Miller’s blazing ton goes in vain.  Former winner New Zealand set up a meeting with India in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy

England Knocked Out 

Azmatullah Omarzai shined, proving his ICC ODI Player of the Year status with a match-winning 41 off 31 and a stunning five-wicket haul to dismantle England.  Afghanistan scripted history with a stunning

India Mauls England 3-0 

Gill has been in red-hot form throughout the series, earning the Player of the Series award with 259 runs in three innings at an impressive average of 86.33…reports Asian Lite News  Opener
Go toTop