The IOC did not mention “either a cancellation or a postponement” of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, said its president Thomas Bach after a meeting of the Executive Board.
“Neither the word cancellation nor the word postponement were mentioned today during the meeting of the Executive Board,” which ended Wednesday evening, said Bach at a press conference. “We are facing challenges but I do not want to add to the speculation. The IOC reaffirms its total commitment to ensuring the success of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” added Mr. Bach, less than five months before the opening Tokyo Olympics (July 24-August 9).
The Olympic executive, meeting since Tuesday in Lausanne, heard on Wednesday a report from the organizing committee (Cojo) of the Tokyo Olympics which “is absolutely in line with the position of the IOC expressed yesterday (Tuesday). The Cojo renewed and strengthened his total commitment to a successful Tokyo Olympics, “added the German boss of the IOC.
Mr. Bach recalled that a working group had been created comprising the IOC, the Organizing Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the city of Tokyo, the Japanese government and the World Health Organization (WHO). “We have this joint working group which holds regular meetings. We examine every question that may arise but we do not speculate on possible future developments,” he added.
ats, dpa
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