Tokyo 2020 organizers are expected to meet almost Wednesday, with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons and other officials to discuss Covid-19 plans and remedies for the Games
Last updated: 02/03/21 11:31 am
Seiko Hashimoto has been named the new President of the 2020 Tokyo organizing committee
The number of women on the governing body of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee is expected to more than double in an effort to promote gender equality and restore trust in the organizers of the Games.
The move comes after Vice President Yoshiro Mori resigned last month after making sexual comments about women, saying they talk too much and have led by a “strong sense of conflict”.
Women currently make up seven of the 35 seats on the governing body. Members have unanimously agreed to increase the board by 10 to 45.
Former 2020 Tokyo president Yoshiro Mori resigned last month
Two other members have also recently resigned, bringing the number of vacancies that organizers hope to fill in the coming days with women to bring the total to the next few days. to 19 – about 42 percent of the board.
Prior to the announcement, President Seiko Hashimoto said that the development of diversity was essential “to regain trust through a series of events”.
Hashimoto was named the new president on February 18 and acknowledged that the first 12 days in office had been “hectic” with some difficult challenges.
Thomas Bach said he did not want athletes to “jump the queue” over covid vaccines
Tokyo 2020 organizers are expected to meet almost Wednesday, with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons and other officials to discuss Covid-19 plans and medications for the Games .
“I hope this meeting is a success. There is not much time left until the Games – it is very short,” Hashimoto said.
“But we must meet all the challenges so that many citizens and people around the world will welcome the Games and I will do my best for that. “
The next challenge for Tokyo organizers is the torch relay, which is set to begin on March 25 in Fukushima. Spectators will be allowed, but attendees will be asked to make a suggestion rather than a celebration and the event may be postponed or postponed if a large crowd is present. growing too big.
Around 10,000 torchbearers will carry the flame through 859 locations in Japan’s 47 prefectures, culminating in its tour at the National Stadium in Tokyo for the opening event on July 23rd.
IOC vice-president says Covid-19 vaccine ‘encouraged but not mandatory’
Athletes are encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the Tokyo Olympics but it will not be mandatory, said International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice president John Coates.
It follows comments made last month by IOC president Thomas Bach, who said that separate national Olympic committees would coordinate the distribution of vaccines, but did not want energy- actors “jumping the queue”.
“Without compulsion, we cannot do that,” Coates, head of the IOC Coordinating Commission for the Tokyo Games, told reporters.
“But it is certainly motivated and the IOC has an agreement with COVAX where it is helping to circulate vaccines.”
Coates also said the Japanese government planned to decide how many fans could attend the Olympics by April.
“There will definitely be a decision about the qualified people and everyone who bought tickets in Japan,” Coates said.
“A final decision will be made by the Japanese government. It is the governments that will decide these things on what is safe and, a little later, maybe March, April … a decision that in terms of our capacity. “