The ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov in an open letter to the head of the IOC Thomas Bach expressed full support of the decision taken yesterday to postpone the summer Olympic games in Tokyo and once again stressed that it was dictated by concern about the health and safety of participants and guests of the Games, as well as the interests of the international sports movement.
Dr. Thomas Bach
President
International Olympic Committee
Dear Mr. President,
In light of the events of recent weeks and the intensive discussions on the prospects of the 2020 Olympic Games prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, I want to express complete support for the decision to postpone the Olympic Games.
This decision was preceded by large-scale analytical work, sound assessment of all “pros” and “cons”, countless consultations and negotiations, complicated by enormous pressure from advocates for drastic measures.
The most important is that the decision is driven by the concern for health and safety of the Games participants and guests, as well as interests of the global sports movement, that needs to be taken care of, needs peace and unity as much as all the humankind does.
I sincerely hope that the Games will take place within the first half of 2021 and will become a major sports and global event sending a strong message of solidarity and unity of the Olympic Family and the true strength of Olympic values that can change the world for the better and put an end to conflicts, antagonism and division of any kind and origin.
Dear Mr. President, in these times of volatility and turbulence, I wish all members of the Olympic Family under your leadership health, resilience and confidence that with our efforts united we will overcome any challenges.
The Russian Olympic Committee will continue preparations for participation in the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo in this new environment and will keep doing everything we can to provide feasible support to resolve any issues relevant for the Olympic family.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov
President
