"Our common goal is that the games are safe for everyone, the Olympians, all delegations and above all for the Chinese people," he said during a filmed meeting with the (Japanese) Olympic president.
- The Japanese people, Bach corrected himself hastily.
The misrepresentation has fueled anger at the IOC chairman and the Japanese government, who insist they will be able to hold a contagious Olympics while the spread of the coronavirus continues to increase in Japan.
Outside Bach's hotel, since he arrived in Tokyo, dissatisfied Tokyo residents have been protesting against the games.
The Delta variant of the coronavirus has spread in the city, which has been in a state of emergency since Monday.
This means, among other things, that restaurants and bars are forced to close early and have to stop serving alcohol.
The spread of infection is increasing - the highest figures since January
Today, Wednesday, 1,149 new infections were reported in Tokyo.
This is the highest figure since January 22 this year.
It has already been decided that no audience will be allowed into the Olympic arenas.
On Wednesday, Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met.
The message to the collective press was unified.
The games will be carried out as planned.
"Want to thank every single Japanese"
- The Japanese government will do everything in its power to combat this contagious disease in order to implement a safe arrangement.
I hope we can succeed by working together, said the Prime Minister.
- Billions of people will be glued to their screens and impressed by the Japanese people for what they have accomplished in these very special circumstances.
I would like to thank every single Japanese person, said the IOC chairman.
There is not much to say right now that the Japanese are just as grateful.
The Olympics will be inaugurated on Friday 23 July, but will sneak in with football a couple of days earlier.