Bach said it would "not be responsible in any way to set a date or take a decision right now"GETTY IMAGES
IOC President Thomas Bach acknowledged the "increasingly troubling situation" around staging the Tokyo Games as planned in late July, though he remains "optimistic that infection rates might subside enough to allow the Games to go forward," according to Matthew Futterman of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Bach said, "Of course we are considering different scenarios, but we are contrary to many other sports organizations or professional leagues in that we are four and a half months away from the Games." Here are some highlights of what Bach said Thursday during his phone interview (N.Y. TIMES, 3/20).
- "Nobody today can tell you what the developments are tomorrow, what they are in one month, not to mention in more than four months. Therefore it would not be responsible in any way to set a date or take a decision right now."
- "The decision of the IOC will not be determined by any financial interest."
- "We have our risk management policies in place and our insurance and this will make it possible for us to continue our operations and organize future Olympic Games."
- "For an athlete, the worst thing for preparation is the uncertainty that distracts from training and preparations. I told the 220 athletes in the phone call Wednesday that we cannot pretend we have answers to all your questions."
- "Cancellation is not on the agenda."
ATHLETES FIRST? Japanese Olympic Committee Exec Board member Kaori Yamaguchi on Thursday said that the Games "should be postponed," arguing that athletes already are "at risk by continuing to train for the games amid the global coronavirus pandemic." In Tokyo, Daisuke Yamaguchi notes Kaori Yamaguchi is the first JOCEB member to "openly split" from the IOC. She "plans to argue her position when the JOC meets Friday next week" (NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW, 3/20). In San Jose, Elliott Almond writes, "As usual, the athletes are the last consideration when it comes to Olympic decision-making" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 3/20). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes under the header, "IOC's Olympics Stubbornness Just Shows The Organization Cares More About Money Than Athletes" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/20). In Toronto, Scott Stinson writes under the header, "The International Olympic Committee Is Playing A Dangerous Waiting Game" (TORONTO SUN, 3/20).
