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Beijing 2022 organisers have been “pressing ahead” with preparations for the Winter Olympics Friday after a senior IOC official warned the coronavirus may drive the Games to be postponed. Dick Pound, a former International Olympic Committee vice-president, informed AFP that every one choices must be thought of if the Beijing Games can’t be held in 2022. Beijing is because of host the Winter Olympics simply six months after the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games, which have been put again a 12 months to July-August 2021 due to the coronavirus.
However, with the pandemic exhibiting no indicators of receding, Japanese and IOC officers have each raised fears that the Tokyo Olympics might must be cancelled altogether.
“To get to that point, where you decide you can’t do it (Beijing) in 2022, you explore whatever options you can do,” Pound mentioned in an interview.
“If we’re in Tokyo, things all may be ready for Beijing. On the other hand, they may not be,” he added.
In a press release to AFP, Beijing 2022 mentioned the IOC is ploughing on with each Games as deliberate, regardless of the coronavirus nonetheless claiming lives in a lot of the world.
“As far as we know, the position of the IOC is very clear and remains unchanged,” Beijing organisers mentioned.
“They are fully concentrated and committed to the successful delivery” of each the Tokyo and Beijing Games, they added.
China, the place the coronavirus emerged late final 12 months earlier than spreading worldwide, has largely introduced the contagion beneath management regardless of periodic localised new clusters.
However, Chinese authorities have ruled out hosting most international sports events this year — aside from 2022 trials — as a part of measures to stop a resurgence.
“At present, Beijing 2022 is implementing strict prevention and control measures against COVID-19, while pressing ahead with the Games preparations in an orderly manner,” organisers added.
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“All competition venues are expected to finish construction as scheduled by the end of this year.
“It is our agency perception that we are going to stay dedicated to safeguarding the well being and security of the athletes, each participant concerned within the Olympic Games and the worldwide group.”
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