White House "Discussing Dispatch of Tokyo Olympic Team"

Japan Expands COVID-19 Emergency to 10 Areas Ahead of the Olympics
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 25th (local time), the White House announced that it is discussing the dispatch of the U.S. delegation to the Tokyo Olympics in Japan.

This statement draws a line regarding the possibility of canceling the delegation amid the U.S. Department of State raising the travel advisory for Japan to the highest level, Level 4 'Do Not Travel,' just a day earlier.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a regular briefing on the 25th (local time) in response to questions about the U.S. participation in the Olympics, "Our position on the Olympics has not changed," "and I would note that we are discussing sending a delegation under the umbrella of the Olympics with strict COVID-19 protocols in place."

She added, "The government has emphasized that public health remains a core priority as they plan to host the Olympics," and "(The) President proudly supports the U.S. delegation."

Psaki also stated, "The organizers have presented very specific entry and movement regulations and procedures to ensure the protection of everyone involved."

Psaki’s remarks are interpreted to mean that, separate from the Department of State’s travel ban advisory, discussions are still ongoing about dispatching the Olympic delegation in accordance with public health guidelines.

Earlier, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced that it would send a delegation of 600 athletes to the Tokyo Olympics as planned following the Department of State’s announcement.

The Japanese government also emphasized that the U.S. is not canceling its delegation. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu stated that he received an explanation from the U.S. that this decision is unrelated to the delegation dispatch and that the U.S. support for hosting the Olympics has not changed.

A major foreign media outlet evaluated that the White House confirmed its support for Japan’s plan to host the Tokyo Olympics and for the athletes wishing to participate in the Games.

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