Tokyo 2020, Bach’s gaffe: he calls the Japanese ‘Chinese’

False start in Tokyo of the president of the International Olympic Committee (CIO), Thomas Bach, protagonist in spite of himself in a gaffe that is already triggering social media. During the first public speech since his arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun, Bach addressed the inhabitants of Japan in English, calling them “Chinese”. “Our common goal is that the Games are safe”, the IOC president said during a meeting with the head of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, reassuring that the Olympics will not be a super-diffusing event. Then Bach’s error, stumbled upon Asian nationalities. “For everyone: for the athletes, for all the delegations and especially for the Chinese … Japanese people”, continued the IOC president, correcting himself when the damage had already been done. The mistake was not repeated by the interpreters present at the meeting, but the Japanese media did not forgive Bach, reporting with great evidence what happened despite having declared that the organization of the next Games was “the best ever” despite the myriad of logistical challenges posed by the pandemic. Bach and the IOC officials, as reported by the ‘Guardian’, were harshly criticized for insisting on the opening of the Games on July 23 despite the increase in infections and the warnings of doctors about the risk that the arrival of tens of thousands of athletes, sponsors, journalists and officials may cause a new wave of infections. Tokyo has been in effect since Monday in the fourth state of emergency since the beginning of the pandemic. Among the measures in force there is the unpopular ban on serving alcohol in bars and restaurants and severe time restrictions for these activities. The restrictions, which will remain in effect until August 22, 15 days after the Olympics closed, have sparked traders’ anger. Bach arrived last Thursday, the same day organizers announced that all competitions will be without spectators. Tomorrow he should meet the Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, while on the weekend he should visit Hiroshima.