IOC President Bach: Still Four Months To Go But We Will Act In The Interests Of The Athletes

Photo Courtesy: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach is still optimistic Tokyo 2020 can go ahead as “we still have more than four months to go” but says the health and interests of athletes are paramount.

Bach was speaking after a teleconference call with 220 athlete representatives where he was “confronted with many questions” as criticism mounts and calls grow for Tokyo 2020 to be postponed.

The Olympics are increasingly under threat due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic although the IOC have insisted the Games will go ahead from 24 July as planned despite concerns as the death toll rises across the world.

Sports events worldwide, including many Olympic swimming trials, have been cancelled or postponed and some athletes have voiced their criticism, saying lives are being put in danger.

IOC member Hayley Wickenheiser has described the governing body’s assertion that the Games will take place in July as “insensitive and irresponsible”, while head off the French swimming federation (FFN) Gilles Sezionale described the position of the IOC and Tokyo 2020 as “indecent” and “shocking”.

Bach moved to address the athletes and following the conference call, he said:

“We have just had a really great call with 220 athlete representatives from all around the world so we were confronted with many questions concerning the qualification system and the restrictions being in place now.

“But we were also very constructive in a way that was in consideration of ‘the way to Tokyo’ and that everybody realised that we still have more than four months to go.

“And we will address this action, we will keep acting in a responsible way in the interest of the athletes.”

He added in an in-house IOC interview:

“It was very constructive and gave us a lot of insight.

“We aimed to continue being very realistic in our analysis.

“We will keep acting in a responsible way that is in the interest of the athletes whilst always respecting our two principles – the safeguarding and health of the athletes and contributing to the containment of the virus, and secondly to protect the interest of the athletes and Olympic sport.”

The venue – an artist’s impression – Photo Courtesy: Tokyo2020

Kirsty Coventry, the chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, said that “athletes did want to see the Games happening in July”.

Coventry, who won two golds among seven Olympic medals in 2004 and 2008, posted on social media, saying:

“We just wrapped up a two-hour call with over 220 athlete representatives from around the world.

“We just want to say thank you to all those athlete representatives for sharing with us the concerns you have and the concerns athletes have around the world.

“We want to thank the IOC president (Thomas Bach) and all the IOC experts for being on that call with us to answer your questions and we hope that you have some clarity.

“The main concerns that athletes are facing and want more information around is the qualification process and we promise to get that to you as clear as possible.

“We’re working with international federations daily.

“They had concerns around their own health and the health of their families and we just implore you to keep doing what you are doing.

“We heard that athletes did want to see the Games happening in July and that’s really promising but we know that the landscape is ever-changing and again we promise to keep you updated.”

Very constructive call with 220 athlete reps from around the world. Discussing the corona virus and how it’s impacting athletes. Here are a few key takeaways. #unite #Tokyo2020 #coronavirus @Olympics @Athlete365 @Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/84j0YBkggR

— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) March 18, 2020

IOC: ‘No Solution Will Be Ideal’ As Athletes Voice Concerns

The conference call came hours after the IOC said “no solution will be ideal” as they responded to criticism from athletes who questioned how they could say with such certainty that Tokyo 2020 will go ahead.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the British heptathlete who won gold at last year’s World Championships in Qatar, posted on social media, detailing her lack of access to any kind of training, physio and gym given she is based in France which is on lockdown.

Katerina Stefanidi, who won gold in the pole vault at Rio 2016, has also accused the IOC of putting athletes’ lives in danger.

Bob Bowman, former coach of 23-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps, has also called for a postponement.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) responded early on Wednesday, stating:

“This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional solutions.

“The IOC is committed to finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes, while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes’ health.

“No solution will be ideal in this situation, and this is why we are counting on the responsibility and solidarity of the athletes.”

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Andy Muller

4 years ago

Now that is absolutely hilarious: When was the last time that an international body like IOC, FINA, etc have acted in the best interest of the athletes and the sport? If they did, a postponement would be announced today. Athletes could focus on staying healthy, then a traditional build up in the training load over several weeks. Imagine this: The athletes are sitting at home and cannot train (lets say until end of April, maybe even longer) (or can train very limited), that is a 6-8 weeks break. 2-4 weeks later they are supposed to start racing again. In what world is this happening? If the breaks are until beginning of June, then all qualification events will be an absolute joke and legal actions will come afterwards. The IOC can create an CAS on every continent and in every country.

Thelma Blehein

4 years ago

Reply to Andy Muller

Andy Muller well said .. needs to be athlete needs lead decision, values of fairness & justice in competition & sport should apply.

Neil Earl

4 years ago

That is what I want to hear.

Daniel Gately

4 years ago

The writing is on the damn wall!

Celeste Letitia Wolmarans

4 years ago

Ag asseblief. Get over yourselves and money

Gregor Ashby

4 years ago

These guys really do have there heads in the sand . If for one instance they had athletes interest at heart the games would have been postponed a month ago .
To get to the Olympics most athletes train for 10,000 hours. Yep 10 years.( but I’m not telling you anything an athlete doesn’t know)
The IOC have once again failed a lot of athletes. Some cannot train some have limited training and and some now have no pathway to the qualify .
The IOC seem to blindly go forward they keep telling us the games are going ahead further more the stadiums will be full.
Unfortunately money is the root of all evil and the IOC seems to be at the top of the heap in this regard. Wake up