ITF supports IOC review of Tokyo 2020 preparations
In response to the International Olympic Committee announcement that the IOC Executive Board will step up scenario-planning for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the International Tennis Federation has issued the following statement:
“The ITF supports the IOC’s decision to review preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and step up their scenario planning over the next four weeks to provide certainty for athletes and everyone else involved in the Games. We look forward to collaborating with the IOC during this time to provide information concerning the Olympic tennis event.
As the global health situation continues to evolve daily, we are confident that the IOC and the IPC are doing everything necessary to ensure they are in the best possible position to make the right decision at the right time. In these unprecedented times, we all have a duty to act responsibly. Protecting the health and safety of not only those due to travel to Tokyo this summer, but our sport and the global population as a whole, must be the priority.”
ITF President David Haggerty wrote to all ITF member nations on Monday 23 March 2020 to express this view and shared the IOC press release confirming their scenario planning in full consultation with their multiple stakeholders, along with a letter to athletes from IOC president Thomas Bach and the International Paralympic Committee’s statement in support of the IOC’s announcement and its consideration for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Both the IOC and IPC made clear that in the course of this review of preparations, cancellation of Tokyo 2020 is not on the agenda.
Read the statement from the IOC and the IPC response in full:
IOC: Health and safety paramount as IOC Executive Board agrees to step up scenario-planning for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020