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The president of the German International Olympic Committee # Thomas_ Bach considered that it is too early to determine how to organize the Olympic Games in # Tokyo next summer, in light of the developments of the Corona virus outbreak and the possibility of finding a vaccine to combat it.
“We don’t know what the image of the world will look like tomorrow, so why not imagine what could happen in the world after 31 days,” Bach told reporters at the end of the meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee.
After the Summer Olympics were postponed from this year to the summer of 2021, the organizing committee promised to establish simplified games, noting that it is studying about 200 measures it could take, including reducing the number of spectators in stadiums.
“In the coming weeks, you will see important and intensive talks on various scenarios in order to ensure a safe environment for all participants next summer,” added Bach.
He continued: “It will not be easy, but the issue of social distancing is being considered,” noting that the Games will witness the participation of about 11,000 athletes from 206 countries, accompanied by at least 5,000 officials and coaches, in addition to 20,000 representatives from media.
He revealed: “It is too early to give a concrete answer to the final scenario at the present time”, indicating that the development of rapid tests and the possibility of finding vaccines against the Corona virus will be decisive factors.
He explained: “We can be optimistic but cautious according to our information and contacts that we have with specialists, the World Health Organization and also with companies of medical products.”
He added: “We have received encouraging news about the possibility of developing certain vaccines. It will not be a magic drug, but it can make organizing games easier.”
In an interview with Agence France Presse, International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates confirmed that the Tokyo Games will take place “with or without Covid 19”.
The games have not been canceled since their inception, except for the period of the two world wars, while Coates, who spoke by phone, insisted that the Tokyo Games would start as scheduled on July 23 next year.
“The games that defeated Covid will be the light at the end of the tunnel,” added the head of the Olympic Coordination Committee.
The games were scheduled for July 24, but last March the organizers made a historic decision to postpone them until the summer of 2021, as the Corona virus spread around the world.
The Japanese authorities have clearly indicated that they do not want to postpone the Games again.
Until now, Japan’s borders remain largely closed to foreigners, and many experts are skeptical that the pandemic will be under control next summer.
And according to several recent polls, a clear majority of Japanese would like to postpone the Games again or cancel them because of Corona.
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