GENEVA (Kyodo) – International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who previously said spectator numbers could be reduced to a “reasonable” level at the Tokyo Games on Friday, touched on the possibility that there would be spectators at all.
“We are working to prepare for all the situations we could have in July-August this year,” Bach said in a video press release where he spoke to questions about preparation for the past games. postponed with six months to go until the opening event.
“This goes from immigration rules, from quarantine rules, to social distance in the Olympic City … to the question of spectators. How many? Can spectators be there?” he said.
Bach noted that he spoke to the 206 National Olympic Committees on Friday and confirmed that they are all committed to the games.
Bach’s comments follow Thursday’s daily report in Britain The Times says there is agreement that the games are embarrassing and the goal now is to save a way for announcing the cancellation. makes it possible for Tokyo to host at a later date.
Public opinion in Japan has suddenly turned against the Olympics and Paralympics, with a recent Kyodo News poll showing that around 80 percent of respondents want to the games will be postponed or postponed again, but Bach hit a catchy tone later Thursday.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on July 23 in an Olympic stadium in Tokyo. This is why there is no plan B and This is why we are fully committed to making these games safe and successful, “he told Kyodo News.
In the same interview, Bach acknowledged that the IOC needed to be “flexible” and “make sacrifices” to protect the health and safety of all involved.
In his latest video, he stressed all the options being considered and “there can be no taboo for a safe and secure Olympic Games for all participants.”
Tokyo and 10 other prefectures were subjected to a second state of emergency until February 7. All non-resident foreign nationals, including athletes, are denied entry in an effort to prevent the spread of the crown virus.
Tokyo has reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections for 10 days directly.
The torch relay is expected to begin at the end of March, with 10,000 runners to carry the Olympic flame on its journey around the country culminating in an opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.