IOC President Marks Mexico City Anniversary

(ATR) IOC President Thomas Bach says he has plenty to do before his mandate as head of the IOC can be measured.

"I think it's too early to think about the end of my time," Bach said during the press conference that ended his official visit to Mexico for the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Olympic Games.

"We have celebrated a day of sport and Olympic values. A great day for the sport of Mexico and for the National Olympic Committee, and of course, for the IOC," he said.

He held a meeting with the president-elect of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

"His plans are very ambitious, sport will play an important role and the IOC offered support in the implementation of these projects and these exchanges for the Mexican society," Bach said.

He was also received by outgoing president, Enrique Peña Nieto, whom he thanked "for all his support that has always given him the sport throughout his presidency."

During the press conference Bach listed important decisions during his tenure such as the simultaneous elections of the Olympic Games of 2024 and 2028, the creation of the Olympic Channel, anti-doping measures, a new model of governance and the greatest reform in the Olympic Program in decades.

He rejected a suggestion that his term as IOC chief will be defined by the Russian doping scandal.

"I do not think that by a single fact it can be remembered," he says.

Asked about the controversial agreement of the Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to reinstate Russia in that body, he said it was a "democratic decision" and highlighted the independent anti-doping system of the IOC that will be established for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Bach said the IOC "is working very closely" with the Tokyo 2020 organizers on measures to deal with possible natural catastrophes.

"We know, for example, that in earthquake issues Tokyo is a very safe city because of the existing buildings, technology and experience of the Japanese," he said.

An earthquake on the island of Hokkaido, in the north of the country, caused a few weeks ago more than 40 deaths

"As for the heat, we do not think there is an effect on the Olympics," he added. More than 130 people died this summer because of the high temperatures in the Asian nation.

"There is a program of the Organizing Committee to protect athletes and visitors from the heat wave that may or may not occur," he added.

"The NOCs and athletes can be sure that everything is being done to protect them," he said.

The Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020.

Bach was accompanied by honorary IOC member Olegario Vázquez Raña, Mexican Olympic Committee president Carlos Padilla and Swiss IOC member Denis Oswald. Oswald won a rowing bronze medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Bach said that "as soon as possible" Mexico "should have a member" in the IOC that "follows the great steps" of Vázquez Raña who has had "a lot of influence" in the international Olympic body.

Olegario Vázquez Raña, who will leave the presidency of the International Shooting Federation in November after directing it since 1980, ceased to be an effective member of the IOC in 2015 after turning 80 years old.

Bach says that he would look "very positively" at a Mexican bid for future Olympic Games "applicable to those of 2032".

He added that "there are many arguments" from Mexico to seek the Games.

About the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles he said he was "sure that we will have great games" and an "excellent example of the legacy of 1984".

He reflected that within 10 years those of Los Angeles "will be the Games of innovations".

"I am confident that my successor will be in charge of guaranteeing success," he says about Los Angeles.

Bach can serve as IOC president until 2025, if he is reconfirmed in 2021.

Accompanied by Peré Miró, deputy director of the IOC, Bach left Friday for Buenos Aires for the IOC Session, Olympism in Action forum and the Youth Olympic Games.

"They will be Games of a new era," he said. "There will be many innovations, and they will be a laboratory of new disciplines." The YOG will be inaugurated on Oct. 6.

Reported by Miguel Hernandez.