Coates on Tokyo 2020 Proceeding Under State of Emergency: "Absolutely, Yes"

(ATR) Tokyo 2020 president Hashimoto Seiko and IOC Coordination Commission chair John Coates cite a multitude of reasons as to the certainty that the Olympic Games will move forward safely, despite substantial doubt among Japanese citizens.

"It is now clearer than ever that these Games will be safe for everyone participating and importantly safe for the people of Japan," Coates said, addressing media following three days of a virtual IOC Coordination Commission meeting.

With 63 days to go,Coates was asked directly if the Games can still be delivered if Japan’s current state of emergency is continued until the opening of the Games on July 23.

"We’ve successfully seen five sports hold their test events during the state of emergency, all of them with the plans that we had in place to protect the safety and security of the athletes, and the people of Japan, based around the worst possible circumstances, so the answer is absolutely yes," he said.

The two Olympic leaders presented a unified front, even repeating each other’s words at times, following the 11th and final IOC CoComm meeting between the two parties. The IOC says Tokyo 2020 is now fully into theoperational delivery phase of the Games.

"The IOC is actively working with its Japanese partners and the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee on an IOC program to bring medical personnel from abroad to support the safe and secure delivery of the Games," Coates noted, saying this was among various good news coming out of the meeting.

Coates added that numbers currently stand at approximately 230 physicians and 310 nurses.

The CoComm chief also provided an update on the state of vaccinations among athletes who will be residing in the Olympic Village, advising that the figure is currently at 75 percent.

"By the time the Games arrive, we know this will be over 80-percent," Coates added. "This has been made possible by the IOC initiative with the Pfizer intake donation of vaccines to Games participants."

Hashimoto explained what she calls her "Three Thoroughs" highlighting important measures being taken to ensure safe and secure Games, while trying to instill confidence among the worried Japanese public.

"At present, there are people who feel uneasy that the Games will be held with a lot of people coming from abroad and being together," said Hashimoto, who has now led Tokyo 2020 for three months.

"There are other people concerned about the possible burden on the medical system in Japan by organizing the Games.

"To these concerns, I would like to implement what I call three thoroughs:

"The first one is the thorough reduction in the number of the inbound people.

"The second one is the thorough restriction of the activities and behavior.

"The third is the thorough review of the medical system."

Through her ‘Three Thoroughs’ Hashimoto concluded: "I shall continue to make efforts in hosting safe and secure Games for the citizens of Japan, so you can truly feel that these Olympic and Paralympic Games are for everyone."

Hashimoto also informed that 50- to 60-thousand COVID tests are anticipated to be administered daily during the Games, to be commissioned privately so as not to affect the public regime. She advised that informal agreements have been reached with nine hospitals in Tokyo, and 20 outside of the Japanese capital, to treat athletes, mainly for injuries.

The Tokyo 2020 president was asked if there has been any update on the allowance of domestic spectators.

"The ceiling, the cap, the maximum number of spectators has still not been decided," she said. "There will be a range of the number and as we have more discussions on venue capacity, we will be able to give you a more concrete, fixed number."

Coates, also the Australian NOC president, concluded his remarks with one final assertion that the Games are going forward as planned.

"I know from my own athletes in Australia how appreciative they are of the efforts of the Japanese people to give them the opportunity to live their dream. despite the current situation," Coates said. "For this reason, we look forward to the opening ceremony on 23rd of July with great confidence."

Homepage photo: Panam Sports

Written and reported by Brian Pinelli

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