IOC President Bach offers pep session for Tokyo Games and talks up vaccine

IOC President Thomas Bach delivered a pep talk to Japanese government officials and local organizers on Thursday that included suggestions that “hundreds of millions” of doses COVID-19 vaccines would be available before postponed Olympics open in July.

Bach was speaking from Switzerland in an on-line garing of officials in Japan during first of two days of meetings focused on how to pull off delayed Tokyo Games.

Bach pointed out that major sports events like Tour de France have been held with limited fans and without vaccine. But he said a vaccine — or vaccines — could be rey for Tokyo, although he gave few details.

“We have very encouraging news about development of a vaccine — and t only a vaccine, but vaccines,” he said.

Bach ded that International Olympic Committee was in contact with World Health Organization and or “experts” and unnamed pharmaceutical companies. He said y were “unanimous” in saying that a vaccine will be available at beginning of next year.

“In first couple months of next year we will have different vaccines.” Bach said. “y will be available in very considerable doses.”

Bach said this could amount to “hundreds of millions of doses being available alrey in first half of next year.”

A handful of vaccines alrey are in final testing in United States and or countries, and hopes are high y might be rey by end of year. Bach has previously said he was also in contact with Chinese pharmaceutical company Sivac.

Bach did t tackle big ethical question: Should young, healthy athletes be a priority for a vaccine, ahe of health workers and vulnerable populations? And will athletes want to take a vaccine, fearing y might fall ill days before competing?

Speaking for about 15 minutes, Bach tried to assure Japanese organizers — and Japanese public and sponsors who have been skeptical that games will happen — that planning is on track.

Domestic sponsors have contributed $3.3 billion to local operating budget, and polls suggest many are reluctant to renew ir contracts.

Surveys have shown a majority of Japanese companies and public don’t think Olympics will happen next year — or should happen.

Back repeated several times that next year’s games have to be “fit for post-Corona world.” He said Tokyo Olympics were “best prepared” in history, but that will t be eugh.

“We cant just repeat great work you have been doing, or copying it and slightly apting it. We have to apt it to this new world,” Bach said.

He also said IOC and local organizers would t be rushed to reveal details of exactly how Tokyo Olympics will take place. He said many scenarios were in play, and might be up until opening ceremony.

“body can expect from us that we kw alrey exactly what needs to be done in 10 months from w,” he said. “This work will continue until day of opening ceremony because it is new for all of us.”

He also pointed out that many countries are in different sts of COVID-19, and in reliability of ir testing.

“This is t only about conditions in Japan and conditions for travel to Japan,” he said. “This also concerns conditions in 205 or national Olympic committees.”

two-day meeting this week come as Japan’s Kyodo news ncy has reported more details about bribery scandal that seemed to have helped Tokyo land Olympics in 2013. It forced resignation last year of Tsunekazu Takeda, president of Japanese Olympic Committee.

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