The President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, stated that "beyond 2021" Olympics is not an option. (Image via Outlook India)

Thomas Bach: 2021 Olympics is not an option

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Sports & Culture
More Sports
May 26, 2020
19383
While the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak had caused the major sports event, the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan, to be delayed, the chief of International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, said that 2021 will be the last resort, stressing that it cannot be postponed for too long!

If Japan fails to suppress or to tackle the COVID-19 by next year, Bach requited Japan’s statement that the Olympics might have to be canceled. First, the Olympics was going to be postponed to 23 July 2021.

Bach pointed out that there are around 3,000 to 5,000 people employed in the organizing committee. They cannot be employed forever, said Bach. Moreover, the uncertainty in the 2020 Olympics’ commencement means the uncertainty of the entire sports schedule worldwide. Athletes are also confused with the competition overlapping with the future Olympic Games.

IOC understood that the cancellation and reorganizing of the postponed Olympic are “mammoth” tasks. The 2020 Olympics was the first to be canceled due to a disease outbreak. Previously, it was canceled due to wars.

Japanese officials stated otherwise. They have no intention of postponing the Olympic Games beyond 2021. While it sounded optimistic, Bach stated that they will have to consult the World Health Organization (WHO) for that.

Bach could not confirm whether the future vaccine for COVID-19 will be a prerequisite for the Olympics. But, the idea of holding them without fans remains lukewarm. The IOC itself had allocated US$800 million to help organizers and sports federations to fulfill extra costs of the postponed Japanese Olympics.

Source: https://bit.ly/36ohxJS

Sports , Health , Medical , Pandemic , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , Olympics , Asia , Japan , IOC