Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Chairman: IOC Chairman Bach’s visit to Japan may be cancelled
Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, May 7-Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Chairman Hashimoto Seiko said on the 7th that as the epidemic situation in many areas of Japan, including Tokyo, continues to deteriorate, IOC President Bach originally planned to attack Japan in the middle of this month. Access may not be possible.
Since the fourth wave of the epidemic in Japan has not improved significantly, the Japanese government decided on the same day to extend the state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo to May 31. At the same time, it also decided to extend the state of emergency from the 12th. Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures are also included in the scope of emergency implementation.
Seiko Hashimoto said at a press conference held that day: "Frankly speaking, I think it is very difficult for him (Bach) to visit now."
She also said: "The state of emergency has been postponed. I think it is very important for Chairman Bach to take a look at the current situation." However, Seiko Hashimoto also said that no final decision was made on the matter of Bach's visit.
Bach earlier stated that he hoped to visit Japan on May 17 or 18. In addition to meeting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, he also plans to go to Hiroshima to participate in the Olympic torch relay, but these schedules have not been finalized.
Earlier in the day, Seiko Hashimoto also met with Sebastian Co, the president of the World Athletics Federation who came to participate in the Olympic test event.
Ke’s visit was somewhat unexpected. Without any prior notice, he suddenly appeared in Sapporo, where the Olympic Marathon is held, on the 5th, and held an online press conference, stating that this visit was a difficult time for Tokyo. Support from the Olympic Organizing Committee.
This is the second time Kobe has visited Japan since October last year. It is the leader of an international sports organization that has visited Japan the most times since the outbreak of the epidemic.
During the meeting, Ke expressed great comfort to Hashimoto Seiko: "I know you are facing tremendous pressure."
Ko has served as the chairman of the London Olympic Organizing Committee and the British Olympic Committee, and is considered to be one of the most likely candidates to run the International Olympic Committee after Bach.
He visited Japan twice in difficult times to express his determination to hold the Tokyo Olympics. After all, the percentage of track and field athletes participating in the Olympics is as high as 20%.
Koike also met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on the same day, and both expressed their determination that the Olympics will be held safely.