Japan's COVID-19 Cases Hit Record High... Bach Says "Tokyo Olympics Will Be a Source of Pride"

In a phone interview with Yomiuri Shimbun, it was revealed,
"We never even considered canceling the event"

▲Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed optimism about the Tokyo Olympics during a phone interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on the 6th, stating, "The Tokyo Olympics will be a source of pride for the Japanese people."

This statement drew attention as it came amid Japan recording nearly 5,000 new COVID-19 cases daily, continuously breaking previous records.

President Bach recalled, "First of all, the decision to postpone the 2020 Olympics by one year in consultation with Japan during the first wave of COVID-19 in March last year was both very difficult and very easy."

From the IOC's perspective, it would have been much simpler to cancel the Games and cover related losses through insurance.

However, considering the athletes aiming to compete, the efforts of Japan in preparing for the Games, and the global audience expecting messages from the participating athletes, cancellation was deemed unfair and was not even considered as an option.

He said, "When the IOC looked beyond profit and loss and considered the value the Olympics bring to humanity, the choice was clear. We wanted to give athletes another chance and convey a message of human resilience and global unity through the Games hosted by Japan."

Regarding the still prevalent skepticism about hosting the Olympics within Japan, he remarked, "It would be surprising if people were not worried in the current situation."

Nevertheless, President Bach expressed optimism that the environment for holding this year's Olympics is being created, citing remarkable progress in COVID-19 vaccines and the development of efficient testing methods.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

He stated, "The IOC is working with Japan to prepare measures that can respond to various situations," and added, "I am confident that Olympic athletes and officials, who embody the values of sports that respect rules, will adhere well to infection control measures to protect themselves and those around them."

President Bach also emphasized that the most important aspect for the IOC is "holding the Olympics with safety as a prerequisite." He added, "For athletes who have endured hardships and come together beyond the 'one-year postponement,' participating itself will be a joy and an experience unlike any other."

He said, "Messages of recovery and solidarity have always been deeply connected to the Olympics," and "At this Tokyo Games, such values and messages will resonate even more deeply with people around the world."

President Bach evaluated, "The 1964 Tokyo Olympics symbolized Japan's return to the international community after the war," and "The 2020 Tokyo Games held this year will leave a historical significance surpassing that of the 1964 Olympics."

He emphasized, "Japan is now facing an 'opportunity' (hosting the Olympics) that will be a light of hope at the end of the long tunnel of the COVID disaster."

At the end of the interview, he said, "In both sports and life, what is needed to achieve something is faith and passion. Believing in something worth fighting for and carrying it through," and added, "The Tokyo Olympics will give hope and confidence to the world and be a source of pride for the Japanese people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.