IOC Bach Chairman, Tokyo Olympics / Para Postponed, Solo Interview, March 25 5:05
Bach, chairman of the International Olympic Committee, decided to postpone the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics for about one year, and the virus spread to Africa and South America, accelerating the pandemic, as a result of the decision to postpone in response to a single interview with NHK In addition to this, the fact that travel bans have spread to various countries was mentioned.
In response to the spread of the new coronavirus, the IOC, which has been aiming to hold the Tokyo Games normally, has begun considering delays on the 22nd and has announced that it will reach a conclusion within four weeks.
Just two days later, on the 24th, President Bach went into a telephone talk with Prime Minister Abe and decided to postpone the tournament for the first time in history for about one year.
`` At first I was convinced that it was OK to see Japan's countermeasures, but after the extraordinary meeting that decided to postpone it, I was convinced that it was ok to see Japan's measures, but after that the infection spread all over the world, and what is the problem about Japan? It has shifted to the availability of countries around the world, especially in the past few days, when infections have spread to Africa, the Pacific island nations, and South America, raising concerns about the ban on travel. We decided to hold a telephone talk with Prime Minister Abe to consider the best course of action, "said the accelerating pandemic that led to an early decision.
Regarding the postponement of about one year, "Olympics is the most complex competition in the world. It is like 11,000 athletes from all over the world participating in more than 30 world championships in 16 days. In addition, the players live collectively in the athlete village and involve a lot of spectators.It is a huge jigsaw puzzle, "he explained, giving him more time to make various adjustments.
He added, "Now human beings from all over the world are in a dark tunnel, but we wanted the Olympic torch to illuminate the exit of the tunnel. Let's make it a symbol of unity of the United States. "