President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, and Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding at the headquarters of the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland. This happens amid the coronavirus pandemic that forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organisation have a long-standing relationship that has lasted for over three decades.
Together, they promote healthier lifestyles in athletes.
The novel coronavirus has since strengthened further working relations between the two organisations.
Bach says as an organisation, they will continue fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
LIVE: WHO and @Olympics signing Memorandum of Understanding. #WalkTheTalk https://t.co/n9wKcn7EtJ
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 16, 2020
“We are ready to continue to make our contribution to fight this COVID-19 crisis with our contribution through sport and the call for a more active society because sport is a extremely low cost but as we can see once more highly effective,” says Bach.
Pleased to formalize this longstanding partnership between @WHO & @Olympics. WHO works not only to respond to disease but also to help people realize their healthiest lives & this partnership will do exactly that. Physical activity is one of the keys to good health & well-being. pic.twitter.com/Q4nydCUbV0
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 16, 2020
Meanwhile, in football, Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has welcomed a decision to allow five substitutions for the remainder of the season, as the Bundesliga restarts this weekend following a suspension of more than two months.
In England, Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, brought smiles to the faces of some supporters currently in isolation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, by dropping in on their Zoom calls.
“Hello to all of you out there. So, it is a pretty testing time for all of us at the moment, obviously, but the most important thing is that we don’t be alone, that we stay connected. So, I did some calls on LFC connect,” says Klopp.