Bach: Light At The End Of The Tunnel

IOC chief says, the victory over coronavirus to be celebrated at Tokyo Olympic Games

Friday 27 March 2020 | 13:17

This Olympic Games and flame can be light at the end of this very dark tunnel, says IOC president Thomas Bach. Photo: ONOC

This Olympic Games and flame can be light at the end of this very dark tunnel, says IOC president Thomas Bach. Photo: ONOC

International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach says the first ever postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to 2021 will be a very significant one.

Although the dates are not being confirmed yet, he says, that this fight against coronavirus will be celebrated at the Games.

“This Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 celebrated in 2021 is already symbolic, it can be a celebration of humankind after having overcome this unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus.

“This Olympic Games and flame can be light at the end of this very dark tunnel, this humankind going through at this moment which we do not know how long it is.”

Bach says that athletes have sacrificed their time in training and preparation therefore they have to make their Olympic dreams come true.

He urges athletes to rally and address the situation that we are facing globally regarding coronavirus pandemic.

“If we are all standing together and everybody makes his or her contribution, then I am really confident that in the end of these Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be the light and we all want to see the Olympic flame at the end of this dark tunnel.”

Talks and discussions are been underway to decide the Olympic Games date in 2021 taking into consideration the sports calendar around the Olympic Games and maintaining many other issues.

“They have formed now a task force with a very good name, very good spirit the task force calls itself, here we go, so there now looking into its consultation, first of all, with the 33 international federations there.”

Bach said they should come to a possible solution but first priority there should be quality of the decision to really be able to take the input of all the stakeholders into account, the National Olympic Committee, the athletes, the partners, and the organising committee, which is key.

Eventhough, the Games will be held in 2021, it will be still called as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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