UĞUR ERDENER: "I BELIEVE A SUCCESSFUL TOKYO OLYMPIAD IN NEXT YEAR"
By Rasim Movsumzadeh
The Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, Uğur Erdener, gave an exclusive interview about the postponed Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic Games in general.
Dr Erdener, a professor of ophthalmology, is also the president of the World Archery Federation and the Turkish Olympic Committee.
Mr. Ugur Erdener, if the Olympic Games are not held in Tokyo in 2021 for any reason, does the International Olympic Committee have a B plan, a backup option?
"The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held under the same name in 2021, and the Summer Olympic Games will start on July 23 with the same program. This is the decision of the IOC and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and there is no other possibility, ie a next postponement is not possible."
If Tokyo refuses for one reason or another, is it possible for Istanbul, which has been a candidate for the Olympic Games five times, including the 2020 Olympics, to host the Olympics in 2021?
"Since Tokyo has not refused to host the Olympics, the possibility of another city hosting the Games is not a topic of discussion. In general, according to the existing rules, the Olympic Games can not be taken from a pre-determined city and transferred elsewhere."
Insurance is now available in all areas of life. Are the Olympic Games also insured? Is it possible for the IOC to receive compensation if the Olympics are not held? In general, will athletes competing in the Olympics be insured?
"The International Federations included in the Olympic Games program can take out insurance to secure their income, and many federations had insurance for Tokyo 2020, but insurance covers cancellation, not delay. Athletes who compete in the Olympic Games have IOC's health insurance. All measures regarding their health and treatment during the Games are taken by both the Organizing Committee and the IOC."
Is possible for an Olympic Games without fans? Or is there a discussion about limiting the number of fans in the stands?
"The issue of holding the Games without spectators is not a topic of discussion in the current situation, and all tickets purchased for the Tokyo Olympics will be valid next year."
What is planned for the medical protection of athletes and other participants at the Tokyo Olympics?
"The International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization (WHO) have decided to further develop close cooperation by signing a new protocol in Geneva. All the work of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, which I lead, is primarily aimed at protecting the health of athletes, and there is no risk in this regard."
"The idea of maintaining social distance also travels to sports. But sport also means unity and friendship. Do you think this issue will affect the sport? Will it damage the beauty of the sport?
"In addition to sports where social distance can be provided, there are also sports that require close and physical contact, and therefore, competitions in almost all sports are either canceled or postponed by the relevant federations. As you know, 57% of licenses for the Olympics have already been won by athletes and are valid for next year, and the remaining 43% of licenses will find their owners, mainly within the 2021 calendars of international federations."
Is the subject of athletes wearing masks discussed in the IOC? Of course, we are talking about better quality, more technologically advanced masks. But will it not harm the beauty of sport? After all, it is interesting for fans that athletes change their facial features during the competition. For example, in fencing, fans cannot fully see the emotions of the athletes (as well as the goalkeepers on ice hockey).
"At present, such a discussion is not on the agenda of the IOC. Because, as I mentioned in my previous answer, competitions are not held now, and due to the situation, few competitions are planned during the year. Some countries have continued football leagues with their own measures and, of course, risks, but as you know, these are activities without spectators and aimed at ending the season."
Is it possible to hold the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics in 2025 in order to maintain the 4-year period due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021?
Such a possibility is not a topic of discussion at all. The Paris 2024 Olympics will be held on schedule.
Dr Erdener, personally, how do you view the idea of holding the Olympic Games in the future, not in one city, but in many cities or many countries in the future?
"Under the IOC new norms, it is possible for two neighbouring countries or several cities of the same country to hold the Olympics together. In this regard, I would like to inform you that the surfing competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Tahiti, and the sailing competitions will be held in Marseille."
In general, what changes do you think will take place in the upcoming Olympic Games after Tokyo, both in terms of technical development and what has happened in recent months?
"Our main goal is to make this big organization within better, more economical, more environmentally friendly, more advanced technology and essentially more sustainable policies. The International Olympic Committee is constantly working to achieve it."
Is it possible to include e-sports in the Olympic Games, which have become more popular in recent months with the suspension of sports competitions due to the COVID-19 outbreak?
"The IOC Sports Department does serious work in this area and prepares reports and submits them to the IOC Executive Board. At present, it is impossible to include e-sports in the Olympic program, but I think that if certain criteria are applied this may be possible in the not too distant future."
In general, is there a forecasting department in the International Olympic Committee? For example, on the eve of the Olympic Games, are there any issues such as how many medals countries will win and in which sports will set possible records?
"The IOC Sports Department and the Olympic Games Executive Director do a lot of work for the Games on various topics, including, of course, some statistical research. At the same time, the International Olympic Committee is not interested in how many medals a country will win. The IOC only determines how many gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in which sport. I.E: How many competitions will be held for each Olympics."
Dr Erdener, probably in recent months as the head of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, for obvious reasons, you have a greater responsibility. Do you have a lot of work? In general, as a doctor, what can you say and predict about the COVID-19 pandemic?
"It is true that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the whole world, and it seems that this effect will last for a long time. In short, we will have a controlled social life for a while."
"The IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, in close cooperation with the WHO, has drafted a document outlining measures to be taken in the field of sports and sent it to international federations and national Olympic committees, and will update it as appropriate. Of course, they also apply their own rules to the current situation, taking into account both the relevant sport and the special measures of the countries in connection with the pandemic."
"In the meantime, we closely follow the point reached both in vaccination studies and treatment. For example, we recently held another online expert meeting to re-evaluate the vaccination issue. In short, intensive work is carried out in coordination both within the IOC and WHO, more importantly within the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, and I personally believe that a very successful Olympiad will take place smoothly next year."
Rasim Movsumzadeh
Ballon d'Or Award juror
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