THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) have reassured Malaysia that the Tokyo Olympics will be held this year.
On Friday, Japan and the IOC dismissed a report claiming officials see cancelling the Tokyo Olympics as inevitable due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
IOC president Thomas Bach, JOC president Yasuhiro Yamashita and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria spoke via a conference call on Friday.
Among the matters discussed included Japan's preparations for the games.
"Malaysia is confident that the Tokyo Olympics will be held on July 23-Aug 8," said Norza in a statement yesterday.
"Along with other key delivery partners, it is ensured that (a) safe and secure games, not only for the athletes and officials but also the local community, will be held.
"We stand in solidarity with the IOC and the JOC and look forward to participating at the Games."
Norza added that the IOC are also willing to support OCM's mission to provide early vaccination for Malaysian athletes competing at the Olympics this year to protect them from Covid-19.
"In addition to the comprehensive countermeasures in place for the Tokyo Games, we are also in discussion with the IOC in regard to the vaccination of our contingent.
"We would like to thank the IOC for their willingness to support the OCM in our engagement with the Malaysian government for early vaccination."
OCM had earlier this month stated that they would be writing to the Health Ministry to request early vaccination for their Olympic-bound athletes once vaccines are available in Malaysia.
A total of 32 athletes from 10 sports had competed for Malaysia at the 2016 Rio Games.