WATCH: Thomas Bach praises togetherness at Opening Ceremony
IOC President Thomas Bach reflected on the pandemic in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and offered words of hope, saying that the feeling of togetherness at the Olympics "is the light at the end of the dark tunnel."
Japan's new prime minister vows to host Olympics next year
TOKYO โ Japanโs new prime minister said Saturday that heโs determined to host the Tokyo Olympic Games next summer as โproof that humanity has defeated the pandemic.โThe 2020 Games were postponed as the coronavirus spread worldwide, and thereโs been widespread doubt about their future. A poll published in June by Japanese broadcaster NHK said two-thirds of sponsors were undecided about extending for another year. Keeping domestic sponsors on board is financially critical, and Japanese leaders have been eager to signal the Games' viability next year. Recruited by Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Inc., domestic sponsors have paid a record $3.3 billion โ at least twice any previous Olympics โ to the local organizing committee. That's on top of a dozen permanent Olympic sponsors who have signed long term with the International Olympic Committee.