Olympic Games

In his letter, sent this Sunday after the IOC has given itself a four-week deadline to make a decision regarding the Games in light of the global spread of the coronavirus, Bach admits to being "in a dilemma" and recalls living a similar situation of uncertainty during the preparations for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

"Just like you, we find ourselves in a dilemma: the cancellation of the Games would shatter the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes from the 206 National Olympic Committees, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, most likely the Paralympic athletes, and all the people who support them such as coaches, doctors, officials, training partners, friends, and family. Cancellation wouldn't solve any problem and wouldn't help anyone. Therefore, it is not on our agenda," he affirms.

In his text, he states that "a postponement today couldn't determine a new date for the Olympic Games due to the uncertain developments in both directions: improvement, as we are seeing in several countries thanks to the strict measures being taken, or a deterioration of the situation in other countries."

"I believe I can empathize with those of you who consider the situation unsatisfactory. Despite having had a different experience and for very different reasons, I experienced uncertainty as an athlete during the preparations for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. We were not sure if the Games would take place and if we would be allowed to participate. Frankly, I would have preferred that the decision-makers took more time to decide based on more solid information," he adds.

The president expresses concern for the disease and insists on the "priority of human lives above all, including the staging of the Games", as well as the fact that "the IOC wants to be part of the solution" and all their decisions regarding the Tokyo Games are guided by "safeguarding the health of all involved, and contributing to containing the virus."

He also recognizes "the tremendous uncertainty" shared by both the athletes who have already qualified and can train, as well as those who are still awaiting qualification, those who cannot train as usual, and those who "cannot do it at all" due to the anti-COVID-19 measures in their country.

"This uncertainty shakes our nerves and raises or reinforces doubts about a positive future; it destroys hope. Some even have to fear for their own existence. At this moment, no one can make truly reliable statements about the duration of this fight against the virus (...) Therefore, the IOC cannot answer all your questions. That is why we rely on the advice of a task force that includes the World Health Organization (WHO)," he points out.

After federations from some countries have expressed their support for a postponement, the IOC president tells the athletes that we should never give up, "even though the chances of success may seem very small" and that "they must always be ready to adapt to new situations." "A final decision on the date of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would still be premature," he emphasizes.

Bach talks about the complexity that would arise from postponing the Games since "a number of critical venues necessary for the Games may no longer be available", "the situation, with millions of nights already booked in hotels, is extremely difficult to manage, and the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports would have to be adapted."

"Therefore, to further study the different scenarios, the full commitment and cooperation of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and the Japanese authorities, as well as all International Federations (IF) and National Olympic Committees (NOC) and all stakeholders in the Olympic Games would be needed. In light of the deteriorating global situation and in the spirit of our shared commitment to the Olympic Games, the IOC Executive Board has today initiated the next step in our scenarios," he concluded.