Bach, IOC President: "If the Tokyo Olympics Cannot Be Held Next Year, I Believe They Will Be Canceled"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stated that if the Olympics in Tokyo are not postponed again next year, there will be no further postponement.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 20th (local time), President Bach mentioned in an interview with the British BBC that if the Tokyo Olympics, postponed by one year, cannot be held next year, they will be canceled.

He also conveyed that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe referred to next summer as the "last option." This implies that Japan has already reached a consensus on this judgment.

President Bach cited the burden on the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee as the reason why further postponement is difficult. He explained that the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee cannot maintain the employment of 3,000 to 5,000 people indefinitely while just waiting for the Olympics to take place.

Regarding the possibility of holding the Olympics without spectators, which has been mentioned in some quarters, he showed a cautious attitude. He said about the possibility of holding the event without spectators, "It is not an ideal form," but added, "If the time comes to make a decision, we will consult with the athletes, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Japan."

Earlier, the IOC, the Japanese government, and the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee agreed to hold the Tokyo Olympics in July next year after determining that it was impossible to hold the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled this year.

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