NOC-K to engage IOC amid Olympic Games uncertainty

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) is set to consult with respective federations ahead of their presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in regard to the upcoming Olympic Games slated for Tokyo, Japan.

The fate of the Summer Games  hangs in the balance as coronavirus pandemic continues to spread thick and fast across the globe.

Already major sporting activities globally have been either postponed or cancelled due to the virus that has almost brought the world to a standstill.

After holding its executive board meeting on Sunday, IOC announced that it will take upto four weeks to make a decision on whether the Games primed for July 24 – August 9 will proceed as planned.

In a bid to make a final decision concerning the Games, IOC has thus invited all the National Olympic Committees (NOCS) to forward their recommendations.

“IOC has invited presentations from NOCs of the world on matters of Olympics and especially the qualifiers which are now on hold.

We will duly present our views under the circumstances. This will include the collective feeling from all our federations, who we have requested to immediately send us their concerns and proposals,” said NOC-K Acting Secretary General Francis Mutuku.

On Monday, Canada became the first major country to withdraw its athletes from the Games even as pressure mounts for the Games to be postponed.

At the same time, World Athletics has also urged IOC to postpone the Games and set a new date.

“World Athletics welcomes discussions with the IOC to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games…We stand ready to work with the IOC and all sport on an alternative date,” read a statement from World Athletics.

Similarly, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has conceded that postponing the Games maybe inevitable under the current circumstances.

Meanwhile, NOC-K has insisted that the welfare of athletes is of top priority ahead of their talks.

“The life and welfare of our athletes are of utmost concern and our top priority right now. We acknowledge the fact that our athletes are not able to fully focus on their training and their schedules are grossly impacted,” said Mutuku.

Mutuku has also hailed Kenyan athletes who have taken the initiative to support their campaign on sensitizing the public on the fight against COVID-19.