IOC aware of Japan skepticism over Games, hopes home success will shift mood - Bach

Record ID: 1627179

  • Title: IOC aware of Japan skepticism over Games, hopes home success will shift mood - Bach
  • Date: 17th July 2021
  • Summary: NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2021 11:55
  • Keywords: IOC Japan Olympic Thomas Bach Tokyo 2020
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Olympics,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA006EM88IMF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The International Olympic Committee( IOC) on Saturday (July 17) said it was aware of skepticism within Japan about staging the Tokyo Olympics during a pandemic but it is hoping success on the field of play for the host nation could change the mood.
    The Games will be held without spectators and amid draconian COVID-19 safety measures, while the Japanese public remains largely opposed to the event amid a resurgence of infections and concern that an influx of international visitors could turn the Tokyo Olympics into a super-spreader event. The comment came on the same day when the first positive case within the athletes' village was found. The IOC had been hoping would stay clean as proof that the Games could be held in a safe environment.
    IOC President Thomas Bach said the coronavirus cases found before the Games begin remain 'very low rate' and assured the Japanese people that all stakeholders of the Games have the same interest of competing in a 'safe and secure' environment. Critics of the Games in Japan earlier this week submitted a petition against the event that has garnered more than 450,000 signatures this month.
    Olympic Games is set to start on July 23.
    (Production: Pak Yiu, Angie Teo)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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