8 August 2021 - As the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 drew to a close, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach hailed Tokyo 2020 as a symbol of hope for the world.
The Games came to an end on Sunday (Aug 8), after being postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Most events took place with no spectators and there were unprecedented countermeasures in place to ensure the Games were held safely and securely.
President Bach said: “I’m only sure that nobody who took part in these Games will ever forget these Olympic Games. They are unique and they’re a great manifestation and a great symbol of hope for the people across the globe. They are a great manifestation of solidarity which made these Games happen and they are a great manifestation of peace because without solidarity there is no peace.”
Tokyo 2020 saw more than 11,000 athletes competing in 339 events with 2,401 medals presented and 93 National Olympic Committees winning medals.
Surfing, skateboard, sports climbing and karate made their Olympic debuts in Tokyo, while baseball and softball returned for the first time since 2008.
And President Bach hailed the attitude of the athletes, who had had to change their schedules when the Games were postponed for 12 months.
He said: “The athletes were extremely happy that after these two years, almost two years of separation, they could come together again. And then I have never before felt such an intensity in the atmosphere in the Olympic Village and, on the field of play, such a togetherness among the athletes.
“And the athletes are very grateful that the Games, under these circumstances, could take place at all. And these emotions, these feelings, this atmosphere, they have managed to share it with the entire world. You could feel, see and hear it not only in the Olympic Village, but on the field of play in interviews and in conversations and therefore, these Olympic Games are a great success because the athletes gave them the Olympic soul.”
The Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 begin on August 24 to September 5, 2021. The next Olympic Summer Games will take place in Paris 2024, while Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 take place between February 4-20 next year.
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