Author: Stephen Wade
AP Sports Writer
Tokyo (Associated Press) – When Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, made his first public appearance after arriving in Tokyo on July 13, he called his Japanese host a Chinese.
Bach delivered an inspiring speech at the headquarters of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee. His opening remarks were: “You have successfully made Tokyo the most fully prepared city in the history of the Olympic Games. In the difficult circumstances that all of us must face, This is even more remarkable.”
Bach tripped over what he said, he was referring to “Chinese” instead of “Japanese”.
“Our common goal is to provide safe and reliable games for everyone; for the athletes, for all delegations, and most importantly for the Chinese people-the Japanese people,” said Bach, who soon discovered his mistake.
Bach’s comments in the brief were translated from English into Japanese, but the note was not included in the interpretation. Despite this, the Japanese media quickly reported the incident, and there was strong opposition on social media.
He ended the speech with a Japanese phrase: “Gambari mashou”, which means “let us do our best.”
The Olympic Games, postponed by the pandemic, opened 10 days later.
Bach quarantined him for the first three days at the IOC’s five-star hotel in central Tokyo. During the first 14 days, his movement was restricted-like almost everyone participating in the Olympics.
Organizers and the International Olympic Committee have decided to ban fans from entering all venues except a few peripheral venues. This was done after the Japanese government forced Tokyo into a state of emergency due to the increase in coronavirus cases. The state of emergency will last until August 22-it will take effect during the entire Olympic Games, which will open on July 23 and close on August 8. The main impact is to push bars and restaurants to close early and stop selling alcohol, a move aimed at reducing the amount of circulation on crowded trains.
Bach’s visit coincided with the official opening of the Tokyo Bay Olympic Village.
