Bach says canceling Tokyo Olympics not an option despite COVID

… with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of athletes.

Oh, Mr. Bach, a “generation” is widely considered to be 20 to 30 years. Whatever gave you the impression that it was only four?

decided in the interest of athletes 

No truth in this statement

failure is always an option

"the foremost principle is the safety and security for everybody"

That is of course not true, because if it was the games would be cancelled because they exacerbate unnecessarily risks, safety and security are at best a 3rd or 4th place priority.

he's basically ignoring the fact that the rug was pulled out from under him by the athletes last year, before he and others put the screws to them this year

So the IOC is an un-elected body who’s authority supersedes the Japanese government? Good to know

said Tuesday

Bit late for that comment isn't it?

canceling Tokyo Olympics not an option despite COVID

It's easy to say since he's not the one who really pay, mostly is being paid by sponsors that just would't get get good association with olympics image also Japanese tax payer.

Both lead photos today of Bach & Dr. Biden with their outstretched and open arms! What’s the meaning?

Bach says canceling Tokyo Olympics not an option despite COVID

What could you expect from a guy that doesn’t even know the difference between China and Japan?

That proved even more his (lack of) consideration towards Japan and its people.

Bach is simply not a person of respect, something that is taken very seriously in Japan.

Well, at least Bach acknowledged to correct country and it’s people, this time:

- “For us, like for the Japanese people, it is a very important message that there are Olympic events happening …” -

"We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of athletes. So therefore, a cancellation for us was not really an option," Bach said when referring to the decision in March last year to push back the games due to the global health crisis.

"Amazing. Everything you just said was wrong."

Or, perhaps he’s saying: “I’m like Any of You.”:

‘for “Us”, like the Japanese people, it is a very important message that there are Olympic events”-

COVID is still increasing, about 30% of Japanese is vacinated and still it seems health is not important.

I saw his speech and he is not a clever person. During the speech he said " You Chinese made it...... " and quickly corrected to japanese.

Sorry but this fundamental mistake makes me wonder about his capacity.

Good to see athletes prioritized before us ordinary people.not

This should be the last Olympics ever. Let's strangle this corrupt institution and all its members by banning all Olympic games forever.

Once again the decree is sent down to Suga.

I have not heard many Japanese politicians questioning this man and his foolish and selfish declarations that the games must go on at any cost. As I stated here before what amount of collateral damage is acceptable for the IOC.

I stand with the Japanese citizens in not wanting these games here right now. Unfortunately those in Nagata cho are not standing up for the people they supposedly represent. Unfortunately we all know they represent themselves only and could care less about the average Japanese person.

And the gold medal for hyperbole goes to...

The wants of the few outweigh the needs of the many, huh?

As for the massively inaccurate "lose a generation of athletes", who cares? Does the world need professional athletes? Would having more of them lead to development of a cure for covid? Science, people, we need science, not egotists who get paid to exercise and show off.

Bach doesn’t respect the Japanese or Japan. Only goal is to have the contract pay out.

Self-serving lies from Bach, but what would anyone expect?

Speaking of mendacious organisations, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government got nailed yesterday when they claimed on a twitter post that Tokyo's train system is empty right now. Their photographic evidence was a shot from April last year during the first SOE. The howls of derision were such that the tweet was immediately deleted, but a sharp-eyed chap managed to save it:

https://twitter.com/fergal_whatever/status/1414835206511497232

The propaganda machine is clunking into overdrive now...

We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole lot of money

As the internet acronym goes, FiFY.

Speaking of mendacious organisations, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government got nailed yesterday when they claimed on a twitter post that Tokyo's train system is empty right now. Their photographic evidence was a shot from April last year during the first SOE. The howls of derision were such that the tweet was immediately deleted, but a sharp-eyed chap managed to save it:

When a government (local or national) is mainly run by Very Old Technophobes, who don’t seem to understand how farts information moves in the modern era, this kind of thing happens.

Let's just have the Olympics and be over with them, Won't affect my life.

Go USA!

Bach should really cancel the games. He is going to get a lot of “Chinese” people hurt or worse.

Surprised this man has the gall to open his mouth after the way he insulted people here yesterday

While I realize that most Olympians only get to participate in one Olympiad, multiples being the exception, saying that cancelation is not an option is Hubris and Greed. I feel for the athletes, not for the organizers or the IOC. Let them declare Bankruptcy because they accept no liability if there is a problem but desire all of the control and profit.

Shame on Mr. Bach, quite simply, for pushing his and the IOC's agenda at the expense of safety and common sense (which is, by the way, not as common as it used to be).

Bach: '$$$$. $$$$$$ $ $$$$$$, $$$.'

Athletes: 'I just don't know, but I'm vaccinated, so...'.

Suga: 'Hopes and wishes...Oh look a steak!','

he IOC president, who arrived in Tokyo on July 8, said the opening ceremony at the National Stadium will be "very emotional" because it will be the first time since the pandemic that "you will see the whole world in one place."

you will see the whole world in one place?? Does he not know that all spectators, including foreign spectators, have not been allowed to attend??

For us, like for the Japanese people, it is a very important message that there are Olympic events happening in Fukushima and demonstrating the regeneration of the city and the region," he said.

The people of Fukushima have enough to worry about without having to worry about Covid so please spare everyone the BS.

What a serious mad man... Why is this guy king of the world at the moment? Cancel it... Any normal person would.

The IOC bureaucrats have shown they care first and foremost about the IOC as an organization and their individual roles within the organization. Caste systems abound throughout the globe even in sports organizations. I'm waiting for the Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman cultists to use their usual 'greed is good' defense of ,people like the IOC oligarchs and the markets they have been able to control.

"We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of athletes. So therefore, a cancellation for us was not really an option," Bach said

To be fair I think what Bach is saying is truth - in his position that has to be his foremost responsibility.

What is utterly shameful & disrespectful towards Japanese & residents in Tokyo is complete failure of Japan government spineless attitude, lack of national pride to sacrifice local residents health to toe the line for king Bach.

Usually you have Japanese politicians making strong statements to shiw thier nationalistic opinion but in this case absolute lack of even one person to stand up against king Bach is apalling to say the least.

The athletes themselves could also make the decision that for the best interests of the JAPANESE hosts, that they dont participate.

Seeing as how the IOC, JOIC and Japanese government dont give a crap, they could take a stand in solidarity with the people here and decide not to participate or come to Japan at all.

Yet none are complaining or seemingly worried either about the people here.

Bach says canceling Tokyo Olympics not an option despite COVID

It’s not an option for the IOC to load up on cash from their corporate partners regardless of the human misery that could result.

So the Olympics are more about HIM and his salary? Let him eat crow. I'm sure most people really don't want the Olympics and it's just brought out the worst in people and Japan. It appears as though peoples' health and safety has been put on the backburner, and excuses have been made to continue the Olympics without a serious reality check. Just despicable.

"We, the IOC, will never abandon the TV and sponsorship deals, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of revenues. So therefore, a cancellation for us was not really an option," 

Fixed that for you, you’re welcome.

@Alfie Noakes

Self-serving lies from Bach, but what would anyone expect?

Speaking of mendacious organisations, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government got nailed yesterday when they claimed on a twitter post that Tokyo's train system is empty right now

Hahaha - Perhaps Tokyo used a photo from the first train.

If you scroll down the Twitter feed there is a young lady who shows an honest and true depiction of the situation (hers is not even during rush hour).

It really shows they are willing to outright lie - completely lie - just to hold their precious games. It calls into question everything we have been seeing in the last 6-12 months including the published figures related to virus infections and deaths.

So he gets to bypass all the rules for the common man. He is now an overseas spectator, smh

BS alert.

talk about living in a bubble. Nobody is inspired by the corrupt games anymore. They are just a sick money grab

I have never seen so many people on this website (who are often at odds over political issues) be so united in their sentiments towards something.

For this Bach is to be commended.

But sadly the Headline is true and has been true for a number of weeks now.

Bach: there's no way I'm going to forego being wined and dined, entertained, and paid on your dime despite the pandemic

It actually promotes the health of a nation by inspiring citizens to get off their butts and exercise.

This is one of the many myths of the Olympics. Sebastian Coe told London in 2012 that the Games, which were sponsored by Coca-Cola and McDonald's, would make childhood obesity rates plummet because all the kiddies would take up sports. Neither one of these things happened.

If the Games are safe, why do athletes have to sign a waiver saying they are liable if they get COVID?

If  the Games are safe, why do athletes have to sign a waiver saying they are liable if they get COVID?

Mass cognitive dissonance, maybe? The IOC has issued a papal bull saying that the games are going to be safe, Tokyo has done nothing to imply otherwise, so the athletes assume that the IOC is infallible and that the waiver is a mere legal technicality.

Tell you what, if even a single athlete contracts COVID during these games and subsequently it turns serious and ruins their career, can you imagine the blowback? Don’t know who will care; the IOC will already have made their millions, Tokyo will be too busy raising the consumption tax to 30% to pay for the games, and if the athlete goes to a lawyer he will just look at the waiver and laugh.

@Tokyo-Engr

It really shows they are willing to outright lie - completely lie - just to hold their precious games. It calls into question everything we have been seeing in the last 6-12 months including the published figures related to virus infections and deaths

It's the sheer brazenness of the attempt to hoodwink people that's so galling. Does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government really believe no-one in Tokyo will read their tweet and call them out on an egregious untruth?

And it gets worse. On the Hodo 19:30 TBS programme last night one of the guests was a member of the Government's Corona Strategy Panel. They were discussing the opening of the Athlete's Village yesterday and the struggle to prevent the virus spreading through the so-called bubble. This chap said that from today there will be NO public announcements of any infections spread through the Village, that the information will NOT be made public. So if any more Ugandans, Serbs or Japanese staff there contract coronavirus it won't be reported through official channels. Unbelievable.

In other words Bach is stating that covid is no threat go and catch it

Does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government really believe no-one in Tokyo will read their tweet and call them out on an egregious untruth?

I think they are beyond caring at this point. They must be aware of the considerable opposition to the games, and I’m sure more than a few of them know deep down that these games are going to be a PR (definitely) and health (possibly but hopefully not) nightmare, but they can’t backpedal because they have the IOC holding the contract over them like the sword of Damocles. So they’ve just given up and are willing to do anything, no matter how absurd, to present a positive face.

...with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of athletes.

Instead we loose lifes of people around the world and ofc the not vaccinated "Chinese" population in Japan by spreading the virus more and more. Great idea. Not

The money for the few outweighs the needs of the many.

Absolutely sick, money-hungry and corrupt.

Just another day in the Olympic family.

We will protect a bunch of athletes, its fine that a regular people who paid for the whole thing through their tax will die or have lives ruined due to long covid

He said it will send a "strong message of unity and of solidarity during these difficult times from Japan to the entire world."

Rhetoric is very very cheap.

That’s the only option that this guy just has to draw immediately. Period

"We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of athletes. So therefore, a cancellation for us was not really an option," 

Let’s translate this to what Bach was actually thinking of:

"We, the IOC, will never abandon money, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole lots of money. So therefore, a cancellation for us was not really an option,"

It really shows they are willing to outright lie - completely lie - just to hold their precious games. It calls into question everything we have been seeing in the last 6-12 months including the published figures related to virus infections and deaths.

The guys in kasumigaseki and Nagatacho are saints. they don't lie, don't shred documents

to conceal evidence or don't dish out bribes to buy votes either locally or internationally to host

an international event or to win contracts. We have to believe everything the saints say or release

to us.

In a SOE Tokyo residents are requested not to make non essential trips to other prefectures. Last night there was a report of Bach going to Hiroshima and in the above report he is off to Sapporo and Fukushima.

im sure he will not be travelling alone, there will be his staff, JOC, The Government and local officials.

"We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes,"

Honestly by holding the events that is what you are doing, you are telling the athletes that their health is less important to you than the revenue of the games. I don't want to speak for every Olympian, but I would put money on their health being one of the most important things to most of them, it is literally their livelihood.

Olympic proponents (I think that is only the IOC at this point) like to take the position that this is the only chance these athletes have to compete, but that seems to misunderstand that the Olympics are the only international sporting competition. It might be the most prominent one, but do people think these athletes do no other competitions in the 4 years between Olympics? There are other events, and yes it sucks for them if they miss any competition but it isn't the only chance they have to compete. With the increased accessibility of the internet, less major sports and events are easier than ever to watch on your own.

Let's be honest, even in normal times the Olympics aren't always a showcase for these other events and athletes. The really big sports always draw the most coverage, along with whatever sports the broadcasting country is good at. If you were an archery fan living in the States, how much mainstream coverage do you think the sport gets there vs South Korea?

How about having* The Zoom Olympics. Since many of us had to conduct business or attend school via Zoom it would seem fitting. With virtual stadiums and venues.

Is Bach, always shading the truth. Which is rhetorical. As if, taking the insurance money was ever entertained as a genuine option.

The loss of a generation of athletes. Such hyperbole. Bach now hangs the games onto the athletes, shunting the responsibility onto the shoulders of others, while touting his largesse and nobility.

Rigid rules in place for SARSCoV-2. Chinese athletes reported that the quarters given to their team was less than adequate in securing protection for the team & natives - that there were numerous unavoidable common spaces and varying interactions between athletes and the locals.

The Australian Women's Soccer Team, in Shin-Omiya, Nara, is in quarters shared with tourists and there are public common spaces where interactions are unavoidable. Nor are they in a 'bubble'.

Teams are scattered throughout Japan: Kyushu, Shikoku to name a few.

At this very moment, teams are not separated from the public, creating a risk to athletes and the public. Bach, is certainly aware of the locations of foreign athletes throughout Japan. Which simply indicates he is not capable of telling the truth and is a fraud.

This chap said that from today there will be NO public announcements of any infections spread through the Village, that the information will NOT be made public. So if any more Ugandans, Serbs or Japanese staff there contract coronavirus it won't be reported through official channels. Unbelievable.

Well the chap is right, if it is not reported then there isn't or wasn't any infection, just like we are told

nobody has ever been infected in the sardine box called train or nobody can be infected in an airplane

because the air is replaced every 3 mins.

we the minions are not supposed to question what our rulers say. We don't even have to use that thing in our

head called "brain" to think for ourselves, we just have to accept everything from above, afterall they are more

intelligent than us that is why they are up there and we are below.

You even see it on this board where some interprete it as hatred of Japan.

I understood why Japan could not say they cannot open the Olympics. Bach is a lot smarter than Suga and Japanese officials.

Many athletes, lost their chance to participate in the Olympics, when the spectacle was cancelled last year.

One can even be specific. Aya Sameshima, a member of Nadeshiko. One year, meant she was replaced with a younger athlete. Many athletes were/are on the cusp. One year can make the difference in obtaining or diminishing skills. She is certainly not the only athlete to suffer such a fate. Just an example.

His statement about losing a generation of athletes and acting on their behalf is absurd and bizarre. His concern, veiled as it is, concerns revenues from the games, which would not be offset by insurance monies.

The Tokyo Olympics have stripped bare the façade of the games and the IOC. It is a vehicle of power for the likes of Bach and Coates. Money lies at the heart of it for the IOC and invested parties such as Comcast/NBCU and numerous others. Politicians see it thru gloating egos and payoffs to cronies. Obtaining the games itself is a corrupt process. The burdens placed on the host nation are enormous. The host country provides infrastructure and all other attendant needs, paid for by public monies aka taxes. That money is never recovered or offset. It is after all an event that takes less than three weeks. There are very certain industries and individuals who reap profit from providing infrastructure, but it does absolutely nothing for long term economic concerns. It is a boondoggle.

The athletes themselves could also make the decision that for the best interests of the JAPANESE hosts, that they dont participate.

Seeing as how the IOC, JOIC and Japanese government dont give a crap, they could take a stand in solidarity with the people here and decide not to participate or come to Japan at all.

Yet none are complaining or seemingly worried either about the people here.

The majority of the athletes are part of the entitlement generation, "its all about me". The other factor is the national and international athletic associations that have rules that ensure they don't have any say in what they can or can't do... or you are OUT!...got to keep those dollars flowing and can't have any free thinking going on or anyone wandering off the reservation.... Comrade

The boss has spoken. Suga-san owns the results. We will see what the people think in the next election

Assuming they think at all.

The title of President has really gone to his deluded head. He is just the chief of an NGO promoting a sports event, not the leader of a sovereign nation.

The 7,000 pages of the games manuals revealed dozens of ridiculous demands, which combined with the blatantly unbalanced host-city contract led to Oslo backing down from hosting the games in 2022. Very sensible people!

I understood why Japan could not say they cannot open the Olympics. Bach is a lot smarter than Suga and Japanese officials.

I don't think so. I see it more as a matter of inferiority complex.

Lord Bach is a European. if he was from some small asian or african nation, we

could have witnessed some authority or bold stand from the gov't and J-media.

Cash for me is all that matters.

Who is running the country ?

@MyJT2014

Who is running the country ?

Bach

Could someone tell John Coates if he is back at home in his country NSW Australia now & he won’t be able to flex his muscle the way he do in Japan right now. The state of NSW is currently in locked down since June 26. Today 14/7/2021 97 new cases and longer locked down to be extended. The infected cases in NSW are nowhere near the infected cases in Tokyo or Japan and he still want the Olympic Games to go ahead.

Japanese should boycott the games don’t watch it on TV or watch somethings else.

Yeah, yeah, we've known for months now that it isn't an option to cancel.

As for me, from the 23rd until the end of this farce, the TV is off, and all internet related to the games will be off. Going to use the tomd to focus on mindfulness and appreciating the small things.

Enjoy the circus and your stale bread.

What do you expect from the head of an organization that still promotes the torch relay started in 1936 by AH and his crew as a symbol of superiority.

Bach seems to likes to wield unilateral power!

@Alfie Noakes

On the Hodo 19:30 TBS programme last night one of the guests was a member of the Government's Corona Strategy Panel. They were discussing the opening of the Athlete's Village yesterday and the struggle to prevent the virus spreading through the so-called bubble. This chap said that from today there will be NO public announcements of any infections spread through the Village, that the information will NOT be made public. So if any more Ugandans, Serbs or Japanese staff there contract coronavirus it won't be reported through official channels. Unbelievable.

That should explain why the document about positive cases detected from July 1st to 10/11th which was linked here :

https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/news/

is not there anymore.

I am talking about that document :

https://gtimg.tokyo2020.org/image/upload/production/xxmqbqtlrnquwcg3drou.pdf

As said before, no idea where could be the previous list they are talking about in it.

Stressing that "rigid anti-COVID measures," have been put in place and athletes from overseas will be separated from the Japanese public....

Oh YES! they managed to use notices posting "Japanese only" and "Foreigners only" in the hotel elevators, it should be absolutely enough to separate Athletes from Japanese public, WOW! such strong measures neither in China have ever dreamed about, isn't it Mr. hypocrit Bach????

No Olympics here in Japan!

@Flute

This is an interesting document

https://gtimg.tokyo2020.org/image/upload/production/xxmqbqtlrnquwcg3drou.pdf

One wonders if this document will continue to be published.

Cancelling the Olympics IS an option. There is no dictator telling you otherwise. Or maybe you are trying to be the dictator.

obladiToday  06:46 am JST

decided in the interest of athletes 

No truth in this statement

No way, Jose. Bach only cares about money and his prestige and then name will be MUD.

 going ahead with the games this summer was decided in the interest of athletes preparing for the games for many years.

No, it was decided in the interest of hanging onto billions of dollars of TV broadcast revenue that are needed to pay for Bach and friends' palatial lifestyles.

This chap said that from today there will be NO public announcements of any infections spread through the Village, that the information will NOT be made public. 

If this is what is really going to happen, doesn't this sort of put a stick in the wheels of those saying that the government isn't trying to hide the true numbers and facts regarding testing, covid cases, hospitalisation, etc ..

I am sure this guy got a talking to for saying this publicly.

Anyone else just wished he’ll shut up?

The IOC runs the J-government. I do not know what is worse. The IOC's corrupt nature or the Japanese government's cowardly nature!

No cover ups in Japan many posters will say even when the cover up is public ally reported.

and the media is complicit in all too

Bach lacks empathy for the local commoners of this land and will stop at nothing to attain his profit shares. He is a menace to the sports communities.

"We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes...." Bach said.

Hahahahahahahaha. Just go check out the language in the no liability waivers the IOC forces every athlete to sign to participate in the Tokyo Olympic games.

I agree with most posters about Bach being just a cynic man doing his business for the major lobbies and companies that move the whole Olympic business.

But these days it seems that the whole blame should be put on the him and the pesky gaijin coming here in Japan.

Still the ones that wanted to badly the these Olympics,Abe first and the LDP with Suga now are trying to play the victims.

All this demonizing only Bach which I deeply dislike and put a fear among people about the foreign athletes and staff coming here in Japan bringing diseases is mainly hurting the permanent and long resident expats which will be put on the same fire.

Because when we walk outside we will be a menace for their society according to all this right wing propaganda.

I would respect Bach tad more, if Bach just stop his duplicitous, weasel words.

These Games are going ahead simply to maintain and protect the IOC revenue stream, at the risk of J people health system and peoples lives. A new day, a new humiliation. This Government needs to grow a spine.

Anyone else just wished he’ll shut up?

Me.

Bach and Coates have much to answer for. They only care about money and their personal profile. Needless to say both men are now pariahs and the IOC will live in ignominy.

You know the cost of this two/three week, sporting event/festival could have provided vaccines for the third world many times over.

In fact If had time to crunch the numbers, I suspect could have provided vaccines globally.

SongenshiToday  02:07 pm JST

Bach and Coates have much to answer for. They only care about money and their personal profile. Needless to say both men are now pariahs and the IOC will live in ignominy.

So Suga,Koike,the LDP and the previous PM are only poor victims of these two evil foreigners right?

Japan is very good at playing the victim card,always.

I wonder if it's possible to sue the IOC for gross negligence if everything explodes.

I mean, if the JP government can't help those of us struggling to make it through this on scraps, then maybe the people can recoup some of our tax dollars afterward from the organization they gave our money to.

@exat. Super article. Great share. Thank you!

I think there is a fair control of the risk in this event, the common sense has been prevailing since the development of this plan, the decision of remodeling an existing stadium with local suppliers and not building a new one is a sign of serious and competent management.

Here it is shown who rules and who commands. Who commands and who obeys.

Of course, canceling is no longer an option, just look at the calendar. They're due to start in about a week.

On the other hand, this statement has one big advantage. If something goes wrong, the government can safely point the finger at the Olympic Committee and again say something along the lines of "it's because of foreigners and how they ran it. That could not happen to us". If everything works out, the government will just say "see? We told you so".

I am looking forward to the "indoor" beach volleyball. But I doubt it will be on TV. We'll get stuck with the usual Judo, Swimming and Table Tennis.