Bach tries to boost morale in Japan, speaks to media

TOKYO » Hoping to boost morale in Japan by assuring people that the Tokyo Olympics will be held as scheduled, IOC President Thomas Bach held a conference call limited to three of Japan’s main media outlets — newspapers Asahi and Yomiuri, and the Kyodo news agency.

Bach was responding to comments made earlier in the week by IOC member Dick Pound in an interview with The Associated Press. Pound said a decision on the Tokyo Olympics — facing a fast-spreading virus from China — would need to be made by the end of May.

Australian member John Coates, who heads the IOC inspection team for Tokyo, suggested a similar time frame. Both Pound and Coates are former IOC vice presidents.

The International Olympic Committee provided the AP with a transcript of Thursday’s call. The questions have been shortened for length and clarity. The answers are in full.

Bach’s opening statement: “The preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 are continuing with a view to having successful Olympic Games this summer in Tokyo and to reassure the athletes and to encourage them to go ahead full steam with regard to their training and their preparations for what we expect to be very successful Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.”

Q: There are so many reports in the Japanese media, especially on the internet, citing Mr. Dick Pound’s interview. He set a date and time limit for deciding whether to cancel the games. The word “cancellation” is everywhere now, even in parliament. He also compared the spread of the virus to a wartime situation. Your response, president?

Bach: “I think the facts speak for themselves, and we should also not forget that Dick Pound also said that the IOC is fully committed to have the opening ceremony there on July 24th in Tokyo. And this is in fact what we are working for, and we see great unity and solidarity of the Olympic Movement with regard to that, to the preparations for the games and in particular to the qualification. This is something I must say I’m pretty proud of: to see how so many National Olympic Committees, countries, federations are working together to address this challenge of the virus. Then because you’re mentioning these comparisons with a war. I think any comparison with a world war is out of all proportion.”

Q: In theory, how long could you wait to make a final decision to deliver the games? Is there any option for cancellation or maybe postponement until next year.

Bach: “You gave the answer yourself. You said ‘theoretically,’ and you will understand that I’m not ready to add fuel to the flames of speculation there in any way. It is about now, not about speculation. What it is now it is to ensure the qualification procedure and protecting the safety of the athletes at the same time. This is what we are doing in cooperation with the Japanese authorities. In cooperation with the World Health Organization, also in cooperation with the Chinese Olympic Committee and the authorities and with many NOCs. Let me give you some examples. Now, the Chinese wrestling team is training in Serbia and traveling from there to the different qualification tournaments. The table tennis team of China is in Qatar. The Chinese women’s basketball team is in Croatia. We have managed to move qualification competitions and tournaments within weeks from China to other countries where the safety of the athletes could be ensured. So based on this, we can really say we are looking forward to successful Olympic Games in Tokyo.”

Q: I just want to confirm the IOC stance. Is there now an option for an alternative plan or having multiple locations. Also, is a one-year delay a realistic option?

Bach: “You can ask me in many more ways around; I will not add fuel to the flames of speculation. The IOC, in cooperation with all the authorities and the NOCs, is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting on the 24 July.”