The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that it remains “fully committed” to inaugurating the Tokyo Games on July 24, so the call of the president of the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico (Copur), Sara Rosario Vélez, to the athletes Puerto Ricans are to remain physically active as much as possible and to take care of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).
On Tuesday at noon, Rosario Vélez and the presidents of the 206 Olympic committees held a meeting via teleconference where IOC President Thomas Bach reaffirmed their commitment to hold the Olympic joust, as planned.
“There are still around four months to go and he understands that it is very premature for a decision to be made that is contrary to the celebration of the games. As of today, the games still stand, but that does not limit us to reflect that there is a concern with qualifying events and when the world can really have control of this pandemic. Because if it is not possible to have a decrease, because every day that passes the games are in danger, “the Puerto Rican Olympism leader reacted to THE VOCERO.
In a letter to athletes, Bach said qualifying for the Olympics will require “a lot of flexibility from athletes, national Olympic committees and international federations” after the cancellation of numerous events in which places were decided for Tokyo.
“It was decided to work with a new calendar of the qualifying events that will have to be approved in April. There is no fixed date for the next meeting with the IOC. Meanwhile, it is necessary to continue working as if the Olympic Games were going to take place, ”said Rosario Vélez.
However, the Copur leader acknowledged that she is concerned about the preparation stage that the athletes will have, mostly isolated in quarantine in their respective countries to further prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“My biggest concern is that athletes can continue training on equal terms. Because it is not the same to be training in isolation at home —where training is limited— to train in the free community, as we say, “said Rosario Vélez.
“We had to bring back most of our athletes who were training outside because many competitions could not take place. Now they have to modify everything without knowing what will happen. To give an example, the boxing team was training at the Albergue Olímpico for the qualifier in Argentina, but it was suspended and now that training has to be stretched a bit without a formal date for when it will be held again (the event ) ”, Abounded the Copur leader.
Rosario Vélez affirmed that she is in constant communication with all the federal leaders and indicated that the Department of High Performance (DAR) sent a memorandum with “training recommendations” for the athletes.
“You have to keep training and have a good physical and nutritional preparation. (In the memo) there are some nutrition guides. Coach Patricio Chutney is available to attend any special request. There are many questions that cannot be answered now, but we have to stay active and stay calm, “said Rosario Vélez, while reporting that so far no athlete has tested positive for the coronavirus.
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