Dr. Salehi Amiri, the NOC President held official meeting with Japanese Ambassador in National Olympic Committee.
Iran NOC; Tehran: Kazutoshi
Aikawa, the Ambassador of Japan to Tehran made it to Iran National Olympic
Committee in order to discuss sports related issues with Iranian NOC President.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Salehi Amiri welcomed the Japanese Ambassador
and introduced the participants and held: “Japan's authority in Asia to hold a
major Olympic event makes us proud and happy. Iranian society has a positive
attitude towards Japan”.
The President of the National
Olympic Committee continued: “During Dr. Sajjadi's visit to Japan, they were
very satisfied with Japan's capacity and infrastructure, and we are pleased
that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be hosted by Asia and will be held in
Japan”. Emphasizing the contradictory news that is heard from Japan regarding holding
the Olympic Games, Dr. Salehi Amiri asked for a clarification.
The Japanese ambassador to Iran reiterated:
“According to the joint decision of the International Olympic Committee and the
Japanese government, this event will definitely be held on time”.
“Before Corona pandemic, all our
Olympic teams were involved in training and qualification competitions when the
postponement suddenly shocked everyone and the resumption took them back to the
training again. The next shock will be a bad damage to athletes” added the NOC
President.
Emphasizing on the importance of
bilateral cooperation between Iran and Japan, Dr. Salehi Amiri said: “Considering
the different sports capacities of Iran and Japan, by concluding a memorandum
between the National Olympic Committees, both countries will definitely benefit
from each other's capacities. The development of relations between the two
countries will help in other areas, as well”.
While highlighting the good attitude
of the Iranian people towards Japan, President went on: “considering the recent
changes in international atmosphere, it is expected that Japan refreshes its
stance”.
“Fortunately, the relations
between Iran and Japan are a thousand years old and I am very happy with the
development of the relations between the two countries, considering my mission”
held Mr. Aikawa, the Japanese Ambassador to Iran.
Regarding the Olympics, he stated:
“The final answer about holding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is the
responsibility of the IOC, but our message as the host country to the whole
world is that Japan is fully prepared to hold the Games, so you must be
prepared, as well”.
Emphasizing on the difficult
situation of the pandemic, the Japanese Ambassador added: “The Corona virus was
well managed in Japan, but the spread of the virus has been increasing for the
last three weeks. Since Japan is a free country, the Japanese people assumption
and attitude for the 2020 Olympic Games is very important although right now
the Japanese are very worried. The effort of the Government is to hold the
Games”.
“In 2019, the ski federations of
the two countries initiated to expand cooperations, and it was offered that Japan can assist Iran in building and producing
a jump ski platform. Also in the field of football and wrestling, there have
been
good relations between the two countries, which has a long history” added Mr. Aikawa. Japanese Ambassador also highlighted that there was MOC between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology of Japan .and Iran Sports Ministry
Japanese Ambassdor also visted
the National Sport, Olympic, Paralympic museum by the end of his visit to the
NOC.