IOC "Decision on Tokyo Olympics Postponement Within 4 Weeks"

Thomas Bach, IOC President
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy New York = Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that postponing the Tokyo Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the options being considered. However, it denied the possibility of cancellation.

On the 22nd (local time), following an emergency executive board meeting, the IOC stated in a press release, "The IOC will begin detailed discussions, including scenarios involving postponing the Olympics, in cooperation with the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, Japanese authorities, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government." The IOC mentioned that these discussions will be concluded within four weeks.

Earlier, IOC President Thomas Bach hinted at the possibility of postponement during an interview with The New York Times on the 20th, saying that while they are pushing for the Games to be held as scheduled, "other scenarios are being considered."

However, the IOC stated in the press release that "cancellation is not on the agenda."

After the executive board meeting that day, President Bach emphasized in a letter to the athletes that "human life takes precedence over everything, including the holding of the Olympics."

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