Ioc Welcomes Tokyo Games Chief Hashimoto
The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board has welcomed the new president of the Tokyo Games organizing committee Hashimoto Seiko.
Hashimoto took part in an online IOC board meeting on Wednesday. She was chosen as the head of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games last week. IOC President Thomas Bach held a news conference after the meeting.
Bach said Hashimoto's nomination was appreciated by everybody on the executive board, as she is an Olympian and an experienced political figure as a former minister in charge of the Tokyo Games.
Bach appreciated Hashimoto's priorities for the organizing committee, which will focus on safety, gender equality and legacy.
He noted the stance is "fully aligned" with Olympic Agenda 2020. The IOC calls for a safe and secure Tokyo Games for everybody.
Bach suggested that a decision on whether spectators from abroad will be allowed into Japan for the delayed Games could be made by late April or early May.
Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi told the news conference that toward the end of April will be the right time for making the decision on the matter. He hinted at two separate decisions on foreign and domestic spectators.
The organizing committee and the IOC earlier this month released a playbook that includes guidelines on how to reduce the risk of infection. IOC officials said they have received inquiries on the documents from about 150 athletes.
The officials say they are planning to publish an updated version in April, which is expected to give more specific and concrete measures.