Re-elected Bach promises ‘safe, secure’ Tokyo Olympics

Newly re-elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach promised on Wednesday to deliver a “safe, secure” Tokyo Olympics this year, saying that a decision on allowing foreign spectators would be taken “as early as possible.”

Bach said it was no longer a question of whether the Olympics, which were postponed last year as the coronavirus spread around the globe, would take place but in what conditions they will be held.

“Tokyo remains the best prepared Olympic city ever and at this moment, we have no reason to doubt that the opening ceremony will take place on July 23,” Bach said.

“The question is not whether, the question is how these Olympic Games will take place.

“The IOC are working at full speed together with our Japanese partners and friends to make the postponed Olympic Games a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic.”

Bach said his aim was to create “a safe, secure and fair environment for all the athletes.”

The local Japanese organisers are due to announce by the end of the month whether foreign spectators will be allowed to attend the Games, although it is widely reported that they will be barred due to Covid-19 concerns.

“We’re in permanent consultation with the Japanese government and organising committee,” Bach said.

“We have one agreement on one principle and that is to take a decision regarding foreign spectators as early as possible” in a bid to help manage ticketing, travel and to guarantee the “security and safety of everyone.”

Bach, 67, received unanimous backing in the election for IOC president in which he was the sole candidate, with 93 of the 94 valid votes from IOC members in favour of his re-election.

Bach is a popular, long-standing figure within the IOC. He was elected an IOC member at the age of 37 and went on to play a series of influential roles within the organisation before being initially elected its ninth president in September 2013.