Field Level Media
22 Jan 2021, 10:49 GMT+10
Saying that "you cannot compare March 2021 with March 2020" regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach insisted Thursday that the once-delayed Tokyo Olympics will take place as scheduled this summer.
Bach was responding to a report in The Times newspaper of London, which cited a member of the Japanese government's ruling coalition in saying the Games would again be postponed.
"We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July in the Olympic stadium in Tokyo," Bach told Kyodo News. "This is why there is no plan B, and this is why we are fully committed to make these games safe and successful."
While Japan is dealing with a third wave of coronavirus infections, affirmations regarding plans to hold the Games were numerous.
"We will clearly deny the report," Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Manabu Sakai said Friday.
Elsewhere on Friday, Matt Carroll, the Australian Olympic Committee's CEO, called it unfortunate that he needed "to address unfounded rumors that the Tokyo Olympic Games will be canceled, rumors that only create more anxiety for athletes."
Plans still allow for spectators, according to the Japan Times, even providing quarantine exemptions for people coming from areas of the world where the coronavirus is under control.
Bach did acknowledge the possibility of limiting attendance, however, calling it a matter of flexibility to prioritize safety.
"You may not like it, but sacrifices will be needed," he said. "This is why I'm saying, safety first, and no taboo in the discussion to ensure safety."
Athletes' health concerns, and the cancellation of some qualifying events needed to earn places in the Games, prompted the Olympics and Paralympics to be rescheduled from last year to this year.
Bach pointed to "great progress in science, medicine, vaccination and (virus) tests. All this was not available in March last year. Nobody knew yet how really to deal with the pandemic, and now we know much more."
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of New York Statesman news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to New York Statesman.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: At a two-day summit over the weekend, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies issued a joint declaration condemning...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...