Britain’s Times reported on Friday that Tokyo was looking to get out of hosting the Games, drawing sharp criticism and flat denials. The Japanese government dismissed the report, while Japan Olympic Committee head Yasuhiro Yamashita told Reuters it was a “fabrication” and “wrong”.
Bach did not directly address the Times report, nor mention by name the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the postponement of the Games from last year, but said he was confident that they would go ahead from July 23 to August 8.
“Six months ahead of the Games, the entire Olympic movement is looking forward to the opening ceremony on July 23,” Bach said.
“I had the opportunity today to speak with all the 206 National Olympic Committees of the world and they are all fully committed and looking forward to the Games. We are enjoying the full support of the Japanese government.
“All the prospects are good, we are working hard, and for these Games, the first priority will be to make them safe and secure for all participants.”
Much of Japan is under a state of emergency due to a third wave of COVID-19 infections.
Bach conceded it would be a “huge undertaking” to get the Games underway. But he noted that major sporting events were already taking place around the world without the widespread availability of vaccination against the virus.
“This goes from immigration rules, from quarantine rules, over to social distancing in the Olympic village, to the question of rapid testing, to the question of vaccination, to the question of spectators, how many? Can there be spectators?” he added.
“When we are talking about the measures, there can be no taboo when we are talking about a safe and secure Games for everybody.”
Bach said the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission had informed him that despite the many difficulties the pandemic presented to the prospective Olympians, enthusiasm remained high.
“They will enter the Olympic stadium on the 23rd of July with full pride and sending an important message … to the entire world — a message of resilience, of Olympic passion, of Olympic values like solidarity and peace.”
