Bach stresses that the IOC will not take any risks with the Olympics | Right away
Thomas Bach confirmed on Saturday that the Olympic Games will only take place under safe conditions. The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is confident that the event will continue next year.
The Tokyo Games were supposed to take place next summer, but were postponed for a year due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. According to Bach, everything is closely monitored.
“We have a principle with the IOC, and that is that the Games should be organised for everyone in a safe environment,” Bach said at the signing of a new cooperation agreement with the health organization WHO.
“We set up a working group together with the WHO in February. We are counting on who to support and advise us in the coming period so that we can guarantee safety during the Games.”
According to Bach, nothing is left to chance. “Because we work closely with everyone every day and react to what is needed until the start of the games,” said the German.
“Don’t speculate on other scenarios”
Journalists were able to ask the 66-year-old Bach questions via video link on Saturday, and one of the questions was the extent to which the IOC is already considering measures for the Games.
“A year and two months before the Games, I think it’s too early to speculate on alternative scenarios and what exactly it takes to ensure safety by then,” Bach said.
Not everyone believes the Games will take place next year. Last month, for example, Japanese virologist Kentaro Iwata said he was “very pessimistic” about the chances of the event, which begins on July 23, 2021.
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