The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo 2021 organizers reaffirmed their commitment to holding a "safe" Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organizers of Tokyo 2020 reaffirmed their commitment to celebrate a "safe" Olympic and Paralympic Games on Friday, in their last coordination committee before the inauguration in July.

"We will continue to work hand in hand ... to do everything possible to celebrate a safe Games for all," said IOC Vice President John Coates in a telematic press conference held at the end of the three-day commission.

The organizers have placed their trust in vaccination, a high frequency of testing (which they expect to be daily for athletes) and the restriction of the activities and movements of the attendees to prevent the spread of the virus, an assumption that is behind the growing popular rejection in the country towards the event.

The IOC has offered help with vaccination and expects that more than 80% of the residents of the Olympic Village will arrive inoculated in Japan. They also expect the number of daily COVID tests to be around 50,000, according to the president of Tokyo 2020, Seiko Hashimoto.

Hashimoto indicated that for an effective start of the Games three factors are being taken into account: the reduction of attendees, the restrictions of activities and movements and the review of medical needs.

At present, the arrival of some 79,000 people from the Olympic family is contemplated, less than half of the 180,000 initially planned and a number that could be reduced even more.
Those who travel to Japan must submit a detailed travel plan, which in principle they will not be able to leave, and will move through the territory in designated vehicles, among other measures whose non-compliance could lead to the withdrawal of their credentials.

One of the pending tasks remains to ensure sufficient means and health personnel for the event, at a time of pressure in the national system due to the fourth wave of covid in the country, whose most populated territories are in a state of emergency, including Tokyo. that some advisers ask to prolong.

Hashimoto noted that the organization estimates the need for some 230 doctors and 310 nurses a day to attend to the needs of the participants, while continuing to negotiate collaboration with various hospitals in the capital and the surrounding areas.

It is yet to be decided whether the competitions will have an audience, which "will depend on the spread of the infection" and the "state of the medical system," Hashimoto said. The organization has already announced that there will be no audience from abroad.