Team Fiji is geared-up for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in seven weeks time despite a resurgence of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the host country.
Chef de mission Patrick Bower is confident about Team Fiji’s preparation and participation in the Summer Games. “Team Fiji is definitely going,” he said.
“We answer to the call, not from the nation Fiji but it is the International Olympic Committee’s call.
“When the IOC calls and not the media or their interpretations thereof, only then we will know that the Games will not be held.
“Everyone should know that the Olympic Games are the exclusive property of the IOC and only they have the authority to cancel the Tokyo Olympics.
“That is the bottom-line.” Bower is confident the Games would proceed as scheduled.
“So far as Fiji is concerned, the Games will be held and it will proceed until the conclusion of the magnanimous event.
“We have made every plan and we have been meeting with Japan to see that all the details are met to ensure we cross the lines and do it right so far as the current health crisis is concerned.”
Bower added that comprehensive meetings conducted with the Japanese were pertaining to the relevant protocols and health measures in place.
“We were involved in a detailed meeting with the pre-Games training camp venue in Oita, Japan to ensure they knew what we were doing and we knew what they expected of Team Fiji to do.
“Every detail has been taken care of and we are doing everything that needs to be done relating to the protocols and Games Playbook.
“It basically entails all the required precautionary measures that must be vehemently abided by all athletes and officials, alike.
“It itemises all the areas that we need to be concerned about and what we need to know.” The Tokyo Olympic Games would commence on July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo, Japan
