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IOC’S PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS INCREASED ROLE OF SPORT AND SOLIDARITY IN THE NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE


In his New Year’s video message sent to the Olympic community today, President Thomas Bach recalls how the role of sport in different aspects of society has been strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The role of sport for physical and mental health, the role of sport for our social life, the role of sport for our economic life has been recognized widely”, IOC’s President says.

The IOC President reaffirms that Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 will indeed be the priorities for the extraordinary Olympic year 2021.

“Tokyo is still the best prepared Olympic city ever. We can only thank our Japanese partners and friends for their great commitment and their determination, which is absolutely in line with our commitment and our determination to organize these Games in a safe and secure way for all the participants and to make these Olympic Games fit for the post-coronavirus world. We all will live unforgettable Games,” says Bach.

In addition, he explains that: “We have to already start at the beginning of this year to prepare for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. And there, really all are on board. We see the same commitment and determination of our Chinese partners and friends, and all the Olympic venues are already ready for the best winter sports athletes of the world.”

A further indication of the importance of sport and the Olympic values in today’s world can be drawn from one of the lessons learned in 2020, according to Bach: “We need more solidarity. We need more solidarity within societies, and we need more solidarity among societies.”

IOC President highlights increased role of sport and solidarity in New Year’s message – Olympic News