Tokyo 2020 Welcomes Re-election of IOC President Thomas Bach

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) today welcomed the re-election of Mr Thomas BACH as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Tokyo 2020 President HASHIMOTO Seiko commented, "I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to Mr Bach on his re-appointment as IOC President at the recent IOC session. I can imagine that it is a very serious responsibility to be at the helm of the Olympic Movement during the current COVID-19 situation. I would like to express my appreciation for President Bach’s leadership and his work in furthering numerous reforms since his original election as IOC President in 2013. I am very encouraged by his efforts to ensure that the Tokyo 2020 Games can be hosted this summer.

"President Bach was also an Olympic gold medallist, and I am very reassured by his understanding of how to manage the Games in a way that prioritises the needs of the athletes.

"Immediately after the decision was made to postpone the Games, President Bach sent messages of hope to athletes around the world. During a visit to the Olympic Village here in Tokyo last year, he encouraged athletes worldwide to keep up their preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games, a message which I believe was a great motivation to many.

"As President Bach has indicated, we hope this summer’s Games will be a light at the end of the tunnel for people around the world, and we will therefore continue to work hard to ensure a safe and secure Games."

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