IOC chief expects fans at Tokyo Olympics

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and the head of the International Olympic Committee met in Tokyo to talk about the preparations for the next year’s Olympics amid the novel coronavirus, local media reported on Monday.

Following the meeting, Thomas Bach said he is confident that fans will attend the games in the summer, according to Kyodo news agency.

"In this meeting, we were totally aligned in the full determination and confidence to make the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the Paralympic Games a great success next summer here in Tokyo," he added.

"Together we can make these Olympics Games and the Olympic flame the light at the end of the tunnel."

Suga said he is "determined" to hold the Olympics despite coronavirus outbreak.

"I explained that we are making various considerations on the premise of having spectators and agreed with President Bach to work closely together toward realizing a safe and secure Olympics," Suga said.

The Tokyo Olympics were supposed to take place in July this year before it was postponed due to the pandemic.

The games has been rescheduled for July 23-Aug. 8, 2021, while the Paralympic Games will take place on Aug. 24-Sept. 5, 2021.​​​​​​​