IOC President Promises Athletes ‘Fantastic Experience’

IOC President Promises Athletes ‘Fantastic Experience’

Optimism surrounding the staging of the rescheduled Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo next year was given a boost by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach yesterday.

Bach, who was in Japan last week for an official visit, sent Tokyo 2020 aspirants an assuring and resounding message from the balcony of the water-side Olympic Village, promising them “unforgettable moments” at the venue.

“This is the place to be nine months from now. I am very happy to be able to greet you here from the Olympic Village in Tokyo,” said Bach in his video message.

“You will never ever forget these moments in the Olympic Village in all your life. And with the conditions our Japanese friends are offering here, the experience will be even more fantastic.”

IOC announced the postponement of both the Games in March following the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide. Restrictions are still largely in place in many countries as they continue to grapple with the pandemic but Bach encouraged athletes to keep working hard.

“Get ready for these Olympic Games and train even harder, even under these very difficult circumstances many of you, and most of you, are in at this moment. But if you look around again, it’s worth the effort. I am looking forward to seeing you at Tokyo 2020, in Tokyo 2020 plus one,” he said.

Bach, who met Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga during his trip, also inspected the Olympic Stadium, where he commended the atmosphere and architect Kengo Kuma’s design.

The IOC president was given assurance by Prime Minister Suga and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike about Japan’s commitment towards delivering two world class events next year.

Tags: OLYMPICS | THOMAS BACH | TOKYO 2020

Olympic and Paralympic News

News

Players

Tournaments

IOC President Promises Athletes ‘Fantastic Experience’

Subscribe to BWF Newsletters

Free, personalised updates direct to your inbox.

Olympic and Paralympic News

Zhang & Wang: Stars With Different Legacies

2021 in Review: Stories from Tokyo

2021 in Review: Tokyo Olympics by Numbers

Why Para Badminton Proved Irresistible

Gritty Wins by Cheng, Mazur

Pramod Bhagat Delivers on Promise

Golden Day for Cheah Liek Hou!

Lucas Mazur Wins Thriller

17 Years After Paralympic Bronze, Suter-Erath in Sight of Medal

For Ritah Asiimwe, Badminton is Joy Despite Conflict of Left and Right

Tokyo Diary: End of a Long Wait

#RaiseARacket for Your Heroes These Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

Tokyo 2020 Review: Enigmatic Brilliance of a Shooting Star

Tokyo 2020 Review: Powered by Emotion

Tokyo 2020 Review: Reclaiming the Crown

Tokyo 2020 Review: Compelling, Commanding Performance

Tokyo 2020 Review: Into the Limelight

Tokyo 2020 in Numbers

Punching Above Their Weight

First-Time Nations Make Strong Impression

What Keeps Them Ticking?

Olympic Gold, New Shirt and Royal Favour

Axelsen Scales Olympic Summit

‘Just Run With Me’

Chen Reclaims Crown for China

Masterclass from Chen; Lin Dan’s Record in Sight

How Cordon Left Home at 12 to Chase Olympic Dream

Lee/Wang Ensure Golden Day for Chinese Taipei

Tai Puts On a Show

Olympic Redemption after Personal Tragedy for Greysia Polii

Cordon Scores a Win for the Ages

Chinese Taipei Savour Special Day

Challengers Upstage Favourites

He Bing Jiao Outwits Okuhara; Sets Up All-China Semifinal

Cordon’s Dream Run Continues

Lee/Wang’s Landmark for Chinese Taipei

On-Fire Malaysians Trip Indonesia’s Minions

Beiwen Zhang Retires Hurt with Achilles Tendon Injury

Kento Momota Crashes Out

Kevin Cordon Stuns Angus

Intanon Survives Scare from Soniia Cheah

Win or Lose, Nguyen Wants to Do Migrant Parents Proud

Hong Kong China, Japan in Semifinals

Dwicahyo Ensures Azerbaijan’s Bright Debut

Coelho: I Worked Five Years for This Moment

Lee/Wang Outplay Minions; Australian Surprise for Danes

An Iranian Experiences Her Moment of Olympic Glory

Tang/Tse Clinch Thriller to Make Quarterfinals

Christie Vows to Honour Late Brother’s Memory

Danes Blow Group C Wide Open

Emotional Okuhara Inspired by Champion Judoka

Zilberman Aces Test at Praneeth’s Expense

Impressive Show by Aram Mahmoud

Tokyo 2020 Preview: Element of Unpredictability

Tokyo 2020: Flying the Flag for Nation and Badminton

Tokyo 2020: A Parliamentarian at the Olympics

Tokyo 2020 Preview: Group D On Knife Edge

The Fulfilment of a 10-Year Promise

Tokyo 2020 Preview: The Promise of Fireworks

Olympic Legacies: Immortality Awaits Evergreen Setiawan

Tokyo 2020 Preview: Spectacular Show on the Cards

Olympic Legacies: Top Seeds Who Struck Gold

#RaiseARacket for Your Heroes These Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Tokyo 2020 Preview: Recent Form Favours Axelsen

Road to Tokyo: Paved with Friendship and Inspiration

Olympic Legacies: Unseeded Gold Medal Winners

Road to Tokyo: ‘Daddies’ Feel Relaxed Ahead of Olympics

Olympic Legacies: Will the ‘Famous Eight’ Add a Ninth Member?

Road To Tokyo: Bumpy Journey but No Regrets

Road to Tokyo: ‘Beating Tai Tzu Ying Was Turning Point’

Road to Tokyo: For Spain and for Marin

Road to Tokyo: Watanabe Unfazed by Double Duty

Road to Tokyo: ‘I’m Quite Stubborn’