Rescheduled Olympics likely before summer 2021
The head of the global Olympic movement said on Wednesday the rescheduled Tokyo Games faced "thousands" of logistical and financial problems but could go ahead before summer 2021.
Though most people have assumed the Games will be held around roughly the same JulyAugust timetable as they were planned for this year, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said earlier dates in 2021 were possible.
"The agreement is that we want to organize these Games at the latest in the summer 2021," he told a conference call.
"This is not restricted just to the summer months. All the options are on the table including the summer 2021."
The IOC agreed with Japan on
Tuesday to the first postponement in the Olympics' 124-year history due to risks from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impact.
Bach said he could not guarantee all elements of the Games would remain as initially planned. For example, he did not know what would happen with the athletes' village, where apartments were set to be sold after the Games this year. "This is one of the many thousands of questions this task force will have to address. We hope and we will do whatever we can so that there is an Olympic village, the village is where the heart of the Games beat," he said.
Bach also warned the $12 billion price tag for the Games would rise further, with additional costs for everyone involved.
"Our mission is to organize Games and make dreams of athletes come true," he added. "We
Hospital Clinic wrote on Twitter. “Thank you very much, Leo, for your commitment and your support.”
Former Barcelona player and manager Guardiola made his contribution to a campaign launched by the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation and Medical College of Barcelona.
“Pep Guardiola has made a donation of €1 million to the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation for the acquisition and supply of health equipment to deal with the have no blueprint but we are confident we can put a beautiful jigsaw puzzle together and in the end have wonderful Olympic Games." Bach, a 66-year-old German lawyer and former Olympic fencing champion, also said outright cancellation was discussed, even though the IOC had long insisted that was not an option.
"Of course cancellation was discussed and considered like all options on the table, but it was very clear from the beginning that cancellation should not be something the IOC would in any way favor," Bach said.
The IOC has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks from athletes and teams calling for
Covid-19 pandemic,” said a statement from the College.
“The donation campaign promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona and managed through the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation aims to collect medical materials and financial contributions from collegiate doctors and the general population, for the purchase of medical equipment and equipment that is currently lacking in health centers in Catalonia.
“It will also help finance the alternative production, through the Games to be postponed and unhappy with the slow decisionmaking compared to other sports events.
Asked by a German reporter whether he considered resigning over his organization's handling of the issue, Bach said "No."
In talks with athletes' representatives and national Olympic committees last week, no one opposed the IOC's stance, he added. After repeatedly insisting the Games were on as scheduled, the IOC at the weekend announced a month of consultations over possible postponement, before seemingly bowing to global pressure for a faster judgement.
The body is due to start talks from Thursday with other global sporting bodies as moving the gigantic Olympics event has a knock-on effect for many other competitions.
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All options on table, says IOC chief.
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3D printing and other methods, of respirators and personal protection equipment for health care staff.” Before Guardiola made his donation, the campaign had raised €33,000 in three days.
Spain is the country worst affected by the disease in Europe outside of Italy, with 2,696 deaths and almost 40,000 positive cases. The region of Catalonia, where Guardiola is from and where Messi has lived since joining Barca aged 13, is one of the worst-affected parts of the country.