IOC President Bach Supports Japan’s Decision To Not Have Spectators at Olympics

Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, has released a video to athletes addressing the country of Japan’s decision to hold the 2020 Olympic Games without spectators. 

The decision to hold the Games without spectators was first revealed on Thursday, after Japan entered a State of Emergency amid rising Covid-19 cases in the country. In the press release, Japanese Olympic Committee’s Seiko Hashimoto said that the organizers had, “no choice,” regarding the decision. 

Now, President Bach has reaffirmed the IOC and IPC’s commitment to hosting the Games, while expressing an understanding of the Japanese Olympic Committee’s decision. 

“It was a decision which was necessary to ensure safe Olympic Games and this is why the IOC and the IPC both supported this decision,” said President Bach. “I hope we all agree that the most important thing is that these Olympic Games are happening – that you can make your Olympic dream come true.”

Click Here to View the Full Video 

On July 9, the country of Japan saw a total of 2,230 new coronavirus cases, while the 7-day average positive test rate has been around 6.6%, according to the CDC. This is about a 1% increase in positive tests since July 3, 2021. A total of about 21.3 million Japanese residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which only accounts for about 16.9% of the total population. In comparison, approximately 158 million US residents have been fully vaccinated, with an almost 50% vaccination rate.

The 2020 Olympic Games are set to begin in less than 2 weeks, with the opening ceremonies beginning on July 23. Approximately 11,000 athletes are expected to be in attendance from hundreds of different countries. 

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The unoriginal Tim
3 years ago

IOC should pay Japan for lost ticket sales out of all the TV deals and sponsorship they are raking in.

Awsi Dooger
3 years ago

I’m not sure of the relevance of that comment. Beijing will definitely have different mindset than Tokyo next February. Spectators and dollars will be a priority there. But we are dealing with Japan and it was always obvious it would play out this way.

Last edited 3 years ago by Awsi Dooger
Eric the Eel > Michael Phelps
3 years ago

What about the purpose of being vaccinated in Japan then?

You Don’t Say
Reply to  Eric the Eel > Michael Phelps
3 years ago

Pan-purpose is thing now…wake-up and be woke.

Tomek
3 years ago

What else he can say?

Lpman
3 years ago

What does Dick Pound think of all this?

You Don’t Say
Reply to  Lpman
3 years ago

It seems that he’s been left on his own to do what he does best.

Chigasaki open water
3 years ago

They are keeping spectators out, which will protect foreign athletes from the Japanese populace, which is untested.

Ironically, visiting TESTED athletes will be the ones confined to their rooms these entire games while Japanese athletes will be free to move about among their untested population as normal, thereby endangering the foreign athletes ANYWAY when they come into contact.

The ones being punished for these games will be tested, foreign athletes visiting Japan. They will be in isolation and confined to their rooms every waking moment while not practicing or competing.

I live in Japan and this is how they’ve been treating visiting athletes for months in Japan. Team USA has no idea what they’re about to experience.

They… Read more »

You Don’t Say
Reply to  Chigasaki open water
3 years ago

Mr. Saki is spinning out again.

TerryO
Reply to  Chigasaki open water
3 years ago

So my prevoius comment from 3 days ago still stands for this. BAN JAPAN FOR A DECADE AFTER THIS GAMES AT LEAST.
The Nazi Olympics in 1936 was this awful and biased in a lot way.
The minimum by association of athletes sue Japan at Hague as well for double standards and unhuman behaviour.

Troyy
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

That’s a bit extreme.

TerryO
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

I dont think so, its a nonsense how they treat forign athletes, while they will gonna give free space for their athletes.
The whole covid “solution” from Japan is simply absurd, no other NORMAL (first world) country has closed doors for spectators right know, even if they come from a different continent.
Every athlete trained for decades to be here. They deserve the same treatment. So lock down every japanese athlete as well, or give free movement for the forigners as well.
The nazi Germany comperission still stands for me.

TerryO
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

We have seen, how they cheat to the max from that region in 2002, when a country with ZERO FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE reached the semi-finals, and without the golden are of the turkish football they would have won a bronze medal.

Without the covid situation I predicted the most biased olympics for decades. And it will be.

Hillbilly
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

You’re talking a lot but not really saying anything

TerryO
Reply to  Hillbilly
3 years ago

Check history books about South Korea and their 1988 Olympics (for example boxing) or the football world cup in 2002, the teams Korea has beaten during reaching the semis.
Japan not gonna be any different.

Kitajima > Hansen
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

This poses a big advantage for Japanese athletes.

As foreign athletes start arriving, and they start posting their conditions on IG, it will become a very big issue. The biggest of these games, save any huge surprises.

Here’s how it has played out thus far for foreigners competing in Japan this Spring:

1. Airport bottleneck. First IG posts start coming from socially distanced chairs at the airport, as athletes are processed, taking hours. (There is no social distancing in Japan so this is the first clue something is off. Japanese only wear masks. They don’t social distance here in Tokyo. Trains and shopping have never changed the entire pandemic. Very crowded, no spacing)

2. They are taken directly… Read more »

Corn Pop
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

Never . NATO needs those bases against China .

You Don’t Say
Reply to  Chigasaki open water
3 years ago

Spin, rinse, repeat…the way of the Chiga.

SLO town 805
Reply to  Chigasaki open water
3 years ago

That’s wild. The French and Danish swim teams just arrived in Tokyo. We will have to follow their social media and see what’s happening. Thanks for your boots on the ground reports. It could create a big disparity if true.

TerryO
3 years ago

The worst leader IOC EVER

You Don’t Say
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

Typical lawyer double-speak eh.

He said what?
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

No, Samaranch was the worst. Always turned a blind eye to the East Germans and their cheating. Refused to right the wrong. Others were just as bad. Bach is nothing compared to how rotten some of the past IOC Presidents were. You want really bad? Avery Brundage was the worst.

You Don’t Say
Reply to  He said what?
3 years ago

Enough is enough…it’s time for meaningful change in the Olympic movement.

FST
Reply to  TerryO
3 years ago

I wouldn’t say the worst, but he’s pretty bad. And he was an athlete himself, which makes it a lot worse.

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

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