August 28, 2020
1 min read

IOC lauds Abe’s role in Olympics’ preparedness

TOKYO, July 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 22, 2019. Abe said Monday that he will be more flexible for future debates in parliament on revising Japan's Constitution. n Abe made the remarks in a news conference a day after pro-amendment forces suffered a setback in failing to achieve a two-thirds majority in Sunday's upper house election. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi/IANS) by .
TOKYO, July 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 22, 2019. Abe said Monday that he will be more flexible for future debates in parliament on revising Japan's Constitution. n Abe made the remarks in a news conference a day after pro-amendment forces suffered a setback in failing to achieve a two-thirds majority in Sunday's upper house election. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi/IANS)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. (File Photo: IANS) by .
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. (File Photo: IANS)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was crucial in making the organising committee for the Tokyo Olympics “the best prepared ever.” Abe on Friday announced his resignation as the Japanese Head of Government for health reasons.

“I would like to thank Prime Minister Abe for his great leadership in getting the Olympic Games back to Japan after the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, and in overseeing and supporting the overall preparation of these Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” said Bach in a statement.

“His engagement was crucial to making the Tokyo Organising Committee the best prepared ever. Throughout these years, Prime Minister Abe was a strong partner who always stood up for the interests of Japan, and who at the same time could always be trusted.

“In this way, we were able to find solutions, even in the most difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allow his vision for Japan to still come true, even if with one year’s delay.”

The 65-year-old Abe has been battling ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, for many years and he said that his condition has worsened recently. In September 2013, Abe had intervened in Tokyo’s bid to secure the 2020 Olympics by giving a speech in English at the IOC session in Buenos Aires.

In March this year, the organising committee, Bach and Abe agreed to postpone the Games by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Read: Japan to Host Olympics on July 23, 2021

Also Read: Qatar to bid for Olympics 2032

Air India. (File Photo: IANS) by .
Previous Story

Air India commences London-Kochi direct flight

Vistara Airways. (File Photo: IANS) by .
Next Story

Vistara operates first Delhi-London long haul flight

Latest from -Top News

Ould Tah to head AfDB

Tah, a seasoned economist and development financier, will formally assume office on 1 September 2025, taking over from Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the

Big pay bump for SA workers

The landmark move, which follows months of intense negotiations with trade unions, is expected to benefit millions of civil servants across national and provincial departments. South Africa’s government has confirmed a sweeping

Deadly floods ravage Nigeria

Triggered by torrential rains and the collapse of a nearby dam on May 28, 2025, the floods have submerged vast areas, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. The death toll from

Piyush Goyal Begins Europe Visit

As part of the visit, the minister will meet top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L’Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of

Call to Greylist Pakistan Over Terror Links

Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said that it is high time for the world to acknowledge that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism in the region….reports Asian Lite News
Go toTop