WATCH: Thomas Bach praises togetherness at Opening Ceremony
IOC President Thomas Bach reflected on the pandemic in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and offered words of hope, saying that the feeling of togetherness at the Olympics "is the light at the end of the dark tunnel."
Tokyo Olympics are just six months away
In six months, after a one year delay, the greatest athletes in the world will gather for the Tokyo Olympics. Hereโs nice video to get you in the summer games mood:Your browser does not support iframes. Saturday, Jan. 23 marks six months until the Tokyo Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. And with the pandemic still creating uncertainty about the summer games, three-time Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Peter Vanderkaay said that the athletes should still focus on training. Vanderkaay is hopeful the postponed summer Olympics will still take place amid the pandemic, even without spectators.
6 months until postponed Tokyo Olympics -- will it go on?
Saturday, Jan. 23 marks six months until the Tokyo Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE: Japan minister says โanything can happenโ with Tokyo GamesAthletes have had to be resourceful with training since many competitions have been cancelled or postponed. Vanderkaay is hopeful the postponed summer Olympics will still take place amid the pandemic, even without spectators. Tokyo Olympics Q&A: 6 months out and murmurs of cancellationThe Tokyo Olympics are to open in six months on July 23, and organizers have no public program planned to mark the milestone. Should they take place during a spreading pandemic โ vaccine or no vaccine?
Japan's new prime minister vows to host Olympics next year
TOKYO โ Japanโs new prime minister said Saturday that heโs determined to host the Tokyo Olympic Games next summer as โproof that humanity has defeated the pandemic.โThe 2020 Games were postponed as the coronavirus spread worldwide, and thereโs been widespread doubt about their future. A poll published in June by Japanese broadcaster NHK said two-thirds of sponsors were undecided about extending for another year. Keeping domestic sponsors on board is financially critical, and Japanese leaders have been eager to signal the Games' viability next year. Recruited by Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Inc., domestic sponsors have paid a record $3.3 billion โ at least twice any previous Olympics โ to the local organizing committee. That's on top of a dozen permanent Olympic sponsors who have signed long term with the International Olympic Committee.