Tokyo 2020, 71 infections related to the Olympics

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections linked to the Games rises to 71, according to the latest data published by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee. “The IOC never abandons the athletes and the cancellation of Tokyo 2020 was never an option”, he said. Meanwhile, the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, said that during the first day of the 138th session of the International Olympic Committee underway in Tokyo, he returned to talk about the options that the IOC had put on the table during the pandemic. “Last year the IOC had to choose between cancellation or postponement. Cancellation would have been easy but in fact cancellation was never an option for us. IOC never abandons athletes.” “Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 will give humanity confidence in the future “, he added, continuing:” We had doubts every day and we have lived sleepless nights. ” IOC members then held a minute’s silence at the beginning of the meeting to honor the victims of the pandemic. The Olympics stage is now set for athletes “to shine and inspire the world,” added Bach. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who has been criticized nationwide for his coronavirus policy, said that “after a long tunnel, now in front of our eyes there is an exit “. The significance of the Tokyo Games will not be “hindered or diminished” by the difficult circumstances, said Suga who stressed that the health and safety of the Japanese people and Olympic guests from abroad will be protected.