Tokyo (Japan), March 21: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced on Saturday that Japan's decision on banning overseas spectators from entering the country is "fully respected and accepted."
The two organizations expressed their support for the Tokyo 2020 organizers in a statement after being informed by the Japanese parties in the virtual five-party meeting about their conclusion regarding overseas spectators at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
The meeting was attended by IOC President Thomas Bach, IPC chief Andrew Parsons, Japan's Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike, and Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto.
Bach said in the statement: "We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic fans from around the world, and of course the families and friends of the athletes, who were planning to come to the Games.
"For this I am truly sorry. We know that this is a great sacrifice for everybody. We have said from the very beginning of this pandemic that it will require sacrifices.
"Every decision has to respect the principle of safety first...We stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the side of our Japanese partners and friends, without any kind of reservation, to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 a great success.
"Together with our Rights-Holding Broadcasters, we will make every effort so that the fans from around the world will be able to experience the Olympic spirit," Bach concluded.
Source: Xinhua
