As the Tokyo Olympics head into their second week, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is insistent on making sure Japan gets its due praise as competitions under his purview begin in earnest behind closed doors at the new National Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to The Japan Times before Saturday’s evening session, the two-time Olympic gold medalist said he believed the world would remember the host nation positively for the efforts it took to host the Games amid the coronavirus pandemic — even as the Japanese public remains deeply divided over whether they should have been held in the first place.
“I think people will look back on these Games (and) they will be rightly, incredibly grateful to the people of Japan for honoring their hosting commitment,” Coe said. “I know the world is extremely grateful to the people of Japan and the fortitude and resilience they’ve shown through this.”