His goal ?
To reassure.
And he does it with unwavering determination and consistency.
As if repeating that the Tokyo Olympics would take place next July was enough to dispel the doubts of the entire planet in the midst of a health crisis.
Since the announcement, on March 24, of the postponement of the Olympics to the summer of 2021 (July 24-August 9), the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, has been stepping up video interventions to allay fears.
After the members of the IOC, the presidents of the federations and then of the national committees, Bach tried to reassure the heads of mission last Monday, the very people who are in charge of preparing the coming of delegations and athletes from around the world to Tokyo.
“Even in these times of perpetual change, many details of the operations are still being worked out.
But rest assured that we are currently focusing on the establishment of a real “toolbox” of measures to fight against Covid-19, and that for each of the scenarios considered, ”he told them at the opening. session.
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We understand that the IOC and the Japanese organizers are working on all possible scenarios to try to save what could be saved next summer.
For the time being, lack of visibility on the fall in the virus and on the vaccine release dates, the great vagueness on the organizational conditions remains.
And should remain at least until the beginning of the year 2021. Even later concerning the presence or not of spectators in Tokyo.
Like Thomas Bach, Kevin Mayer is optimistic: “I am confident about the organization of the Tokyo Games.
We see that big events take place.
Even if it's behind closed doors.
They invested so much in these Games to make them that I don't see them going backwards now.
It would be less fun in camera, but it would be better than nothing.
The public, the spectators, it's an exceptional bonus, but I think that with the media that exist, we can broadcast our sport quite easily, share the emotions.
But without the Olympics, athletics can be in danger.
Without spectators, without TV, there would be danger… ”
280 million savings
On the Tokyo side, the organizing committee presented its economy plan last Wednesday, made essential by the crisis.
Result: 52 measures for $ 280 million reduction, or just over 2% of the current budget (12.6 billion).
Not enough to change the Japanese minds, who, numerous polls prove, would be far from being against the cancellation of the Games.
Their organizers and the IOC have confirmed that the Olympics will take place in 2021 or not at all.
A second postponement is excluded.
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