ICYMI: Expert Says Tokyo Games Still in Danger

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(ATR) A leading epidemiologist says it may be impossible to proceed with the Tokyo Olympics.

Dr. Jeffrey Engel of the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists says some difficult decisions are ahead for Japan as the postponed 2020 Olympics loom in just 10 weeks.

Despite his alarm, Engel tells Around the Rings Editor Ed Hula in the latest edition of ATRadio that he believes the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics can still be held safely.

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Hashimoto:Athletes Should Not Be Targets for Criticism

(ATR) Tokyo 2020 president Hashimoto Seiko expresses concern that athletes are caught in the middle of the public discontent in Japan over the Olympics moving forward.

Japanese athletes are facing criticism for continuing their preparations for the Olympics, with some on social media calling for them to withdraw from competing.

"These (criticisms) should not be targeted at athletes – I cannot condone and tolerate that," Hashimoto said, at a media briefing following Tokyo 2020’s participation in an IOC Executive Board meeting on Wednesday.

"The athletes have to be confident and feel comfortable about preparing for the Games and we feel we need to create a conducive environment," she said.

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German Olympic Bid Embraces Flexibility

(ATR) The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) should clarify its commitment to a future German Olympic bid by the end of 2023 at the latest.

This is what Armin Laschet, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the cities bidding for the Olympic Games on the Rhine and Ruhr are requesting. A statement from the North Rhine-Westphalia State Chancellery said on Tuesday that it should then be clear whether the DOSB would like to act as a responsible body in the bidding process.

Laschet and representatives of the 16 bidding cities for an Olympics on the Rhine and Ruhr want to keep up the regional bid to host a sustainable Games. In February, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Brisbane as a preferred partner for talks and it appears the Australian bid is on track to be named the 2032 host as soon as the next IOC Session in July.

The German bid team is ready for any scenario.

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