Ioc Chief: Safe Environment Needed For Tokyo 2020
The head of the International Olympic Committee has stressed that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics can only be held in a safe environment for all participants.
IOC President Thomas Bach held a news conference on Wednesday after an online executive board meeting.
Bach said, "In the next coming weeks, you will see important and intensive discussions taking place with regard to the different scenarios concerning COVID-19 countermeasures."
The Tokyo 2020 Games were postponed for one year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Updates on preparations for the event will be provided at an IOC Coordination Commission meeting starting September 24.
Coordination Commission Chair John Coates said in an interview with AFP earlier this week that the Tokyo Games will start on July 23 next year "with or without COVID."
Bach was more cautious, saying, "We continue to follow the principle that has driven all our decisions so far with regards to Tokyo, and that means to organize an Olympic Games in a safe environment for all people involved next summer."
