Intriguingly Bach confirmed that while a decision on whether to allow foreign spectators in Tokyo would be taken “as soon as possible”, organisers were willing to wait until May or June before deciding how many fans could be admitted into stadiums.
“It’s a question of the safety and security of everyone,” Bach said. “And a question of capacity in the stadia as to how many spectators are admitted. This is a decision which will have to be taken as late as possible. We need to leave the door open in order to take into account all developments that take place, even in May and June.”
Amid scenes more akin to a totalitarian state, Thomas Bach was re-elected as president of the International Olympic Committee by 93 votes to one on Wednesday after a series of lavish tributes from IOC members. Bach, who took charge of the Olympic movement in 2013 and will now serve until 2025, immediately set his sights on running a successful Tokyo Olympic Games and guiding the IOC through the social and financial “aftershocks” of a post.