[ad_1]
It is just too early to set a deadline on how subsequent yr’s postponed Tokyo Olympics will likely be organised, Olympic chief Thomas Bach stated Wednesday, including developments for speedy COVID-19 testing and vaccines would vastly facilitate the Games going forward. “We don’t really know where the environment we will be in next year, it’s too early to set a deadline,” Bach stated after an govt board assembly of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which he heads up. “We don’t know how the world looks like tomorrow, how could you expect us to know how the world look like in 316 days?”
The 2020 Games have been postponed in a historic determination earlier this yr due to the coronavirus pandemic, and they’re now set to open on July 23, 2021.
“In the next coming weeks you will see important and intensive discussions taking place with regard to the different scenarios regarding the Covid-19 counter-measures,” Bach stated.
“Overall we will of course continue to follow the principle that has driven all our decisions so far with regard to Tokyo and that means to organise the Olympic Games in a safe environment for all people involved next summer.”
The IOC’s taskforce, Bach stated, was making ready for a mess of various eventualities.
“That’s not easy, but of course social distancing is under consideration,” he stated.
“We’re also following very closely what’s happening with the development of rapid testing and developments of vaccination and vaccines because this could also have an affect and could then facilitate the preparations.
“It’s simply too early to provide a concrete reply to what would be the remaining situation and the ultimate strategy.”
‘Cautiously optimistic’
Bach acknowledged the taskforce was closely following big sporting events around the world to examine how they were organised.
Contact had been made “to alternate info and be taught and this may proceed”.
“I’m solely positive about one factor on this unsure world and unsure growth… the setting with regards to Tokyo will likely be completely different than from the setting at this time. We solely have no idea wherein approach.
“Therefore, you cannot automatically transfer the experience we are gaining with them to the organisation of the Games in one year from now.”
But Bach insisted he thought “we can be cautiously optimistic”.
“According to our information and the contact we have with experts, the World Health Organization, but also with pharmaceutical companies and what we are seeing on the market, we will see a great progress with regards to rapid testing for instance which will greatly influence the planning and scenario.
“We are additionally knowledgeable about encouraging information in regards to the growth of vaccines and all these will play a task.
“They will not be the ‘silver bullet’ but they can greatly facilitate the organisation of the Games and hopefully already events in the lead up to the Games.”
Promoted
Bach additionally performed down feedback to AFP by John Coates, the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Tokyo Games, that the Games would happen “with or without Covid”.
“Mr Coates, like the entire IOC, is fully committed to the principle we always apply: Olympic Games in a safe environment for all participants,” Bach stated.
Topics talked about on this article
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink