TOKYO, Feb 28, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The International Olympic Committee is
“committed” to holding the 2020 Games in Tokyo as planned despite the
widening new coronavirus outbreak, the body’s president has pledged.
The IOC “is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting
July 24,” Thomas Bach told Japanese media in a conference call late Thursday,
according to Kyodo News.
The statement came as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday
requested the closure of schools nationwide in a drive to curb the spread of
the coronavirus.
Japan has so far seen four deaths related to the virus, among nearly 200
known infections.
Some 700 infections were also detected among about 3,700 passengers and
crew on a cruise ship that was moored off Japan after one of its former
passengers tested positive.
Bach avoided directly addressing comments by senior IOC member Dick Pound,
who hinted the Games could be cancelled if health authorities block travel.
Pound also said, however, there has been no formal discussion among IOC
members about cancelling the Games.
Bach said the priority “is to ensure the qualification procedure and
protecting the safety of athletes at the same time”, according to Kyodo.
“This is what we’re doing in cooperation with the Japanese authorities, the
World Health Organization, the Chinese Olympic Committee and many NOCS,” Bach
said, referring to national Olympic committees.