Thomas bach
'Olympic spirit at its best' - IOC boss praises struggling Biles
Biles shows 'Olympic spirit at its best' by cheering on her fellow gymnasts despite being sidelined with mental problems in Tokyo.
As more athletes arrive in Japan and move into the Olympic Village, International Olympic Committee chief Bach promised a safe summer Games.
With less than 10 weeks until the pandemic-postponed Games open on July 23, parts of Japan are under a virus state of emergency and a majority of Japanese want the event delayed further or cancelled.
As he opened the IOC Session, Bach said it was no longer a question of whether the Olympics, which were postponed last year as the coronavirus pandemic spread around the globe, would take place but in what conditions they will be held.
Spiralling coronavirus infections across much of the world, and renewed lockdowns, have once again raised questions about whether the Games can really be held next year if the pandemic is not under control.
The International Olympic Committee president has come under fire for the ruling, announced in a year which has seen widespread support by athletes for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Bach's aim is to canvas the members for their view on "how to handle the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic", a source told AFP.
Two-time Olympic champion Semenya last week lost a court challenge against the IAAF over plans to force some women to regulate their testosterone levels.
Following a two-day meeting of the Executive Board, IOC President Thomas Bach also said that weightlifting and boxing could still be kicked out of future Games.
North and South Korean leaders swapped warm handshakes and smiles at Friday’s opening ceremony, enabling the IOC to present the Games as enablers of peace.
IOC President Thomas Bach embraced both cities’ mayors on stage after a unanimous show of hands by IOC members ratified the awards.
Cities bidding for the Olympic Games for a second consecutive time should not have to start from scratch, IOC President Thomas Bach said.
IOC President Jacques Rogge held the top job in the Olympics since 2001.