Iran Press/Europe: Bach said in a news conference following an IOC (International Olympic Committee) board meeting that the possibility of canceling the summer games will not be on the agenda during his four-day stay, his first visit to the Japanese capital since the decision in March to postpone the games by one year.
“The answer is no,” he said when asked whether cancellation will be discussed.
Though he did not confirm a meeting with Suga, Bach said he planned to visit the athletes’ village and the National Stadium and speak to Japanese athletes when he travels on a charter jet with a small IOC delegation.
“The message I want to deliver to the Japanese people is that we are fully committed to the safe organization of the games,” he said at the press conference.
“This is the principle we have applied and this is the principle to which we remain committed: these games will happen in a safe environment.”
Bach also said that recent developments with regards to rapid COVID-19 testing and a potential vaccine give confidence the Olympics can be held safely next summer.
The Olympics have previously only been canceled completely during periods of World Wars- in 1916, 1940, and 1944- but never suspended or postponed.
The Olympics were originally scheduled for this past summer before the coronavirus pandemic pushed it back one year to July 23- Aug. 8, 2021.
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