Olympic President Bach to visit Japan in May, meet PM Suga - media

Reuters

Published Apr 17, 2021 01:38AM ET

Updated Apr 18, 2021 12:25AM ET

(Removes sentence saying Tokyo 2020 organising committee could not initially be reached for comment)

TOKYO (Reuters) -International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will visit Japan in May, the Kyodo News agency said on Saturday, as the nation struggles to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases before the start of the Games.

Bach will attend a torch relay ceremony in the western city of Hiroshima on May 17 and meet with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga the next day, Kyodo said, citing sources close to the matter. Bach is expected to back Japan's commitment to safely host the Summer Games, Kyodo reported.

"We are aware of President Bach's intention to come to Japan and would welcome such a visit," the Tokyo Olympic organising committee said in a statement. "However, nothing concrete has been decided."