Tokyo Olympics organisers have ‘cast-iron determination’ to stage Games in 2021: Coe

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe on Sunday stated the Tokyo Olympics organisers have a “cast-iron determination” to stage the postponed Games subsequent 12 months regardless of the uncertainty attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coe, who was not too long ago made a member of the International Olympic Committee, visited Tokyo final month and met a number of top-ranking officers there, together with the organising committee chief Yoshiro Mori and the sports activities and Olympics ministers within the Japanese authorities.

“The future is uncertain but let me give you a slightly more optimistic message. I recently visited Tokyo and met top officials there including ministers in the government. There I can see a cast-iron determination to stage the Games,” Coe stated. He was addressing the Annual General Body Meeting of the Athletics Federation of India just about.

“The Games may be different, there will probably be adaptations, they will probably demand more from your teams that we have not seen in any Olympic Games before. “But please reassure your athletes as they enter preparation phase that there is a strong determination (among officials in Japan) to stage the Olympic Games.”

The Tokyo Olympic Games have been to be held from July 24 to August 9 this 12 months however was postponed to subsequent summer season as a result of pandemic. Coe, who was the primary president of any high worldwide federation to go to the Olympic stadium, stated he left Tokyo “comforted” by what he noticed within the Japanese capital.

The 64-year-old double Olympic gold medallist in 1500m claimed that no different sport on the worldwide degree has achieved a lot for the athletes and been so lively with a number of competitions being staged regardless of the worldwide pandemic. “Our sport has faced challenges during these traumatic months. We have taken many brave decisions, we have kept the athletes at the centre of all our efforts, held competitions, worked for sponsorships, for media, television and social media related activities.

“No other sport at the global level has done so much as we had done to maintain our presence during these difficult times which we have never faced during our career as athletes or as administrator.”

He cited as instance the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships final month in Poland the place the ladies’s world report was damaged by Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir as one of many excessive factors of this 12 months. “Besides the world record in women’s event, it was the only world championships where 10 men recorded under 1 hour timings.

“There was also 10,000m world record (by Joshua Cheptegei), the continental tour events, the innovative garden challenges via iphones, the Inspiration Games, all these have kept athletics at the forefront of global sport. “We are also learning new things and we may have to take these to next year but I am hoping that it (the situation) is not so bad (next year).”

Coe additionally praised AFI for organising many actions on-line for the good thing about the athletes and officers in India, within the South Asian area and in Asia. “I have lost count of how many times I have joined you online. The AFI is doing a fantastic job which is keeping the athletes in the front and centre. Your activities are also benefiting others in the South Asian region and beyond.”