Biden Decides Not to Attend Tokyo Olympics... US Delegation to Participate

Photo by AFP

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The White House announced on the 28th (local time) that U.S. President Joe Biden will not attend the Tokyo Olympics, which opens on the 23rd of next month.

According to the political media outlet Politico, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated at the daily briefing that "the president does not plan to attend the (Olympic) games," adding, "He will definitely be cheering for the athletes."

Psaki also added that a customary delegation would be sent to the Olympics instead.

Psaki said, "As has been done historically, we will send a U.S. delegation," and "We will continue to follow public health guidelines."

It is also reported that instead of President Biden attending the Olympics, First Lady Jill Biden may lead the delegation.

Earlier, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 22nd that the plan for First Lady Jill Biden to attend the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony as a representative of the U.S. government was emerging.

However, the U.S. political media outlet Politico stated that "(the First Lady's participation in the delegation) plan is still in the draft stage."

President Biden expressed support for the Tokyo Olympics during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the White House in April and at the G7 summit held in Cornwall, UK, from June 11 to 13, but he did not directly mention whether he would attend.

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