The “diligent” preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are setting a fine example for future bids, according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
Speaking at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly in Tokyo on Thursday, Bach praised his hosts following their presentation to delegates.
“For everything, there are solutions and there are solutions already underway. The facilities are ready or will be ready in time. You will experience great test events next year.
“Tokyo is really an example for a diligent preparation for an Olympic Games and I would like to thank and to congratulate our friends from the Tokyo organising committee once more,” the German said during his keynote speech.
During this week’s visit to Japan, which included trips to Fukushima with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Tokyo 2020 offices and venues, Bach has lavished praise on the hosts of the next Summer Games.
With concerns over candidate cities for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the recent Russian doping scandal and a controversial election of a new chief overseeing amateur boxing, Bach will be pleased at the stability provided by Tokyo’s solid progress.
During his presentation to the General Assembly, Tokyo 2020 organising committee CEO Toshiro Muto said the focus of the Games would be on a “soft legacy.”
“The 1964 Games (in Tokyo) transformed the city with new infrastructure, such as the “Shinkansen’’ (bullet train) and the metropolitan expressway having boosted economic development in Japan.
“For the 2020 Games, we would like to put a particular focus on soft legacy rather than hard legacy. The Games will bring about a social change and create a truly inclusive society for everyone.
“The Tokyo 2020 Games will be long remembered as a catalyst of the biggest social transformation for Tokyo and Japan in this era,” he explained. (Reuters/NAN)
