NOC President Expresses Preparation for Tokyo2020

Iran NOC; Tehran: NOC President, Dr. Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri highlighted: “Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have set two conditions for the Olympic Games: if the corona virus persists in the world until next year, the Olympics will have specific and strict health restrictions and protocols in place for the organizers; and if the corona vaccine is produced and there is sufficient security for athletes and spectators, then the 2020 Olympics will be held more openly and widely.

Fortunately, most of Iranian sports teams and athletes have received permission to hold limited camps in compliance with health protocols and have started their trainings. Of course, our athletes, like athletes in other countries, have faced a time lag for competitions and training, but almost all Iranian championship teams are involved in starting training and competitions to be able to properly prepare and return to ideal sports conditions in order for participating in qualifying competitions and the Olympic Games.

Recently, wrestling, volleyball and several other sports teams have started their training camps, and soon other disciplines will start as well. We will design special conditions for each sport and based on the policies of the Corona HQ it is tried to prevent athletes from illness and injury caused by the Covid-19. The Corona Headquarters is active and is holding meetings with the Minister of Sports and the National Olympic Committee, and we are constantly monitoring the condition of the athletes.

We make decisions according to the conditions of the day, the community and the sports community. World and Iranian sports have been affected by the pandemic and it has reduced the activities of champions, but the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee will continue to do their utmost to create necessary conditions for Iranian champions to participate in the Olympic Games. In coordination with the federations and national teams, we have devised measures for replacements if athletes get infected with the Covid-19. But the problem is what the situation will be if an athlete gets infected during competitions which is a concern for all countries.

From the current perspective we cannot certainly assure what the prevalence of Covid-19 in Japan and the athlete village will be, but with the experience and background of Japanese sports management, we will no doubt have no problem with the health of the Olympic Village and compliance with protocols.

I should also be added that the conditions of Iranian championship sports are affected by the pandemic in the world, and therefore today's talk is not definitive and will be based on the policies of the Olympic Committee in the future. Whatever change or decision is made by the IOC, we will change our terms and conditions accordingly, but with the current circumstances, the Tokyo3030 will definitely be held at the rescheduled time.