POC wants IOC verdict deferred
October is too soon. We don’t know what will happen yet
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) wants the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take things slow and carefully weigh its options before deciding the fate of the Tokyo Olympics.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino yesterday said the IOC couldn’t afford to make a hasty announcement as to whether to postpone or push through with the Summer Games next year due to the uncertainty brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a recent announcement, IOC senior member John Coates said they are looking at deciding the fate of the Olympics as early as October depending on the health situation around the world.
Coates, the Australian Olympic Committee president who heads the IOC’s coordination committee, said the Olympics might not go ahead next year even if there’s already an available vaccine because the sheer number of people that would converge in Tokyo could lead to a massive outbreak of the deadly pulmonary disease.
But Tolentino stressed that the IOC should defer its decision and wait for things to unfold as crucial development could happen towards the end of the year.
“October is too soon. We don’t know what will happen yet,” said Tolentino, who also heads the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines.
“If they want, they can instead announce it around early next year — maybe within January to March.”
Tolentino said he is hopeful over the staging of the Olympics, especially now that the country has a handsome chance of winning its first gold medal.
And he is asking the IOC to be patient and not rush its decision over its cancellation.
“We can’t be certain by October. What if health experts discover a vaccine in December or January? Then, the IOC will need to change its statement again?”
So far, EJ Obiena, Carlos Yulo, Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno have already qualified while three-time Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, Kiyomi Watanabe, Yuka Saso and Kristina Knott are still have to undergo qualifying tourneys either to punch tickets or gain ranking points next year.