Already postponed by one year in March 2020, the Olympic Games (Olympics) in Tokyo live under the permanent threat of a new postponement, due to the still virulent Covid-19 pandemic in the world. But, as the event approaches – the opening ceremony is scheduled for July 23 – the various bodies and authorities want to be reassuring. On Saturday May 8, it was the Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), John Coates who showed his confidence.
Asked by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on whether a scenario preventing the holding of the Olympics was possible, Mr. Coates replied: ” No there is not. “ “The Prime Minister of Japan told the President of the United States two or three weeks ago and continues to say it to the IOC. We work with him on all security measures. It goes forward ”, he continued.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held talks in April with US President Joe Biden, during which he stressed that his country was doing everything possible to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and organize games in all ” security “.
Vaccines for athletes
The World Health Organization (WHO) assured Friday to trust the IOC, Japan and the host city Tokyo, to make the right choices in the management of the pandemic.
For his part Mr. Coates told reporters in Sydney: “We spent the first half of last year identifying all the worst case scenarios” then “We spent the next six months identifying measures to counter” to the health crisis.
Thursday, the Pfizer and BioNTech laboratories announced that they had concluded a memorandum of understanding with the IOC to provide vaccines against Covid-19 for athletes and delegations from all countries participating in the Tokyo Olympics.
“We have put in an incredible amount of work on procedures capable of ensuring the safety of the athletes. (…) which are now reinforced by access to vaccines ” athletes, assured Mr. Coates.