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Lusan (Switzerland) (AFP)
The president of the German International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, considered that it was too early to determine how to organize the Tokyo Olympics next summer in light of the evolution of the Corona virus outbreak and the possibility of finding a vaccine to combat it.
“We don’t know what the world picture 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 IOC Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday.
After the Summer Olympics were postponed from this year to the summer of 2021, the Organizing Committee pledged to set up 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.
“It will not be easy, but the issue of social distancing is being considered,” noting that the Games will have the participation of about 11,000 athletes from 206 countries, accompanied by at least 5,000 officials and coaches, in addition to 20,000 media representatives.
He revealed that “it is too early to give a concrete answer to the final scenario at the present time”, noting that the development of rapid controls and the possibility of finding vaccines against the emerging corona virus will be crucial factors.
“We can be optimistic, but cautious, based on our information and contacts that we have with specialists, the World Health Organization, and also with medical supply companies,” he said.
“We have received encouraging news about the possibility of developing certain vaccines. It will not be a magic drug, but it can facilitate the organization of games more easily,” he added.
In an interview with AFP on Monday, the vice president of the International Olympic Committee, John Coates, confirmed that the Tokyo Games will be held “with or without Covid 19”.
The games have not been canceled since their founding except during the period of the two world wars, while Coates, who spoke by phone, insisted that the Tokyo Games would begin as scheduled on July 23 next year.
“The games that defeated Covid will be the light at the end of the tunnel,” said 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 new Corona virus spread around the world.
The Japanese authorities have clearly indicated that they do not wish 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.
According to several recent polls, a clear majority of Japanese would like to postpone the Games again or cancel them because of Corona.
© 2020 AFP
