Not letting our guard down, says IOC President Thomas Bach

Interview/ Thomas Bach, president, International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is taking a calm approach to the Paris Games. But he does not intend to lower his guard in the face of security issues and geopolitical tensions.

Bach, a former Olympic fencing gold medallist, would have liked to have taken a dip in the Seine with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Tony Estanguet, president of the organising committee. But one meeting follows another for the German, who met French President Emmanuel Macron after his visit to France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP). Bach was also present at the opening of the athletes’ village. Excerpts from an interview:

Q/ Finally, here we are.

A/ The real ‘finally’ will be on July 26. We can’t wait for the opening ceremony. After that, it is time for sport. We’re coming to the end of this long journey and we can finally reap the rewards. The results are becoming tangible, we can see the success of the Olympic flame…. It’s a great time, but as an athlete, I know that it’s not the training that counts, it’s the championship. In that sense, we are working well together with the organising committees for the Olympic Games to finally create this success for which we have all the ingredients.

Q/ These are the first post-Covid Games...

A/ It is extremely important. I’ve just been around our offices here in Paris. What all our colleagues are saying is that there are no more masks, but above all, that we are not only together, but that we feel together and that we can be happy to be together. It’s a completely different atmosphere, and that’s very important for the atmosphere of these Games.

Q/ Do you have any concerns?

A/ The preparation is excellent, there’s nothing to fear, there are no worries. If I had any concerns, it would be if I felt or saw that we were letting our guard down because of this excellent preparation. But the OCOG (Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) is continuing to work with the same attitude as before. They are very vigilant, they are not unaware of the challenges. Everything is put on the table, we discuss, we decide and then we manage to resolve the problems or challenges that arise. And that’s the key to success. I’m confident that things will go on like this, and that’s why I’m not worried.

Q/ Any problems with the political situation in France?

A/ No. Everyone wants the Olympics to be a great success for France and for the Olympic movement.

Q/ Are you more worried after the attack on Donald Trump?

A/ No. It’s an American situation, so I’m not worried. We have full confidence in the French authorities, who keep us regularly informed of their work. I’m sure that the French authorities are cooperating very, very closely with many international intelligence services, and, of course, with the American services.

Q/ How many Russian and Belarusian athletes will be at the Paris Games?

A/ Fourteen athletes with Russian passports and sixteen with Belarusian passports have accepted the invitation. What we have seen is a different attitude between Belarus and Russia. The Belarusian National Olympic Committee has been constructive. Two days ago, they took a formal decision to ensure their presence and to support their athletes so that they can make their Olympic dream a reality. The situation in Russia is different. There are several sporting and government authorities who have taken a different attitude.

Q/ Are you aware of any tensions between the Israeli and Palestinian athletes?

A/ No, because what we’ve been seeing for 30 years now gives us a lot of confidence. These two national Olympic committees have lived in peaceful coexistence. That’s not to say that there weren’t problems and discussions, but they always respected each other’s existence. They have taken note of our efforts and accepted them.