IOC president will ‘not add fuel’ to Summer Olympics cancellation rumors

A man and a woman walk near the Olympic rings floating in the water in the Odaiba section in Tokyo Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. The postponed Tokyo Olympics are to open in just six months. Local organizers and the International Olympic Committee say they will go ahead on July 23. But it’s still unclear how this will happen with virus cases surging in Tokyo and elsewhere around the globe. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:28 AM PT – Thursday, January 28, 2021

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is planning to host the Tokyo Summer Olympics this year regardless of coronavirus concerns. On Wednesday, IOC President Thomas Bach said he’s done “fueling speculation” that the games could be cancelled due to the virus.

His remarks came after a recent poll showed 80 percent of Japanese residents feel the games should be postponed because it’s not safe. However, Bach said the committee is “working day and night” to ensure a safe Olympics.

“Based on the available counter-measures which we have been discussing, based on the experience with the different sports events which have been taking place all over the world and which are on the way right now while we are speaking, it is clearly not irresponsible,” he stated.

IOC President reaffirms commitment to the Olympic Games #Tokyo2020 . #IOCEB https://t.co/wHhD7D9m1I

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) January 27, 2021

Bach went on to say athletes will be receiving safety guidelines by next month. In the meantime, it’s still unclear whether or not fans will be in attendance.

FILE – In this Nov. 16, 2020, file photo, Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, speaks during the joint press conference between IOC and Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) in Tokyo, Japan. (Du Xiaoyi/Pool Photo via AP, File)

MORE NEWS: Sen. Tom Carper announces bill to give D.C. statehood

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases