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Hashimoto, who took charge of the Games
organising committee two weeks ago, directly addressed low
support among the Japanese public for holding the Games during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
She told reporters that organisers would do whatever it takes to
make the Olympics safe and secure so that they could gain the
confidence of the people, who showed strong support for the
Games before the onset of the pandemic last year.
"The people's passion was there. We want to bring back this
feeling, so that we can turn their concerns into excitement and
expectations for the Summer Games," said Hashimoto, who competed
in seven Summer and Winter Olympics as a cyclist and a skater.
"That requires us to do a good job on safety and security. So we
will do whatever it takes."
Her remarks contrasted with those of her predecessor, Yoshiro
Mori, who had said Japan would hold the Games this summer
regardless of the situation with the pandemic.
Mori's remarks angered many members of the public who felt he
was ignoring their fears about a surge in COVID-19 cases at the
time.
Mori resigned last month after facing fierce criticism for
making sexist remarks. Some Games volunteers quit and some
runners withdrew from the torch relay in protest over Mori's
remarks.
Hashimoto said she would welcome back those who want to return
and called participating in the torch relay, which begins on
March 25, a "tremendous honour".
An opinion poll published this week by the Yomiuri newspaper
showed 58% of people in Japan oppose holding the Games this
year, although that figure was about 20 percentage points lower
than earlier surveys.
The Olympics are scheduled for July 23 to Aug. 8 and the
Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.
(Reporting by Chris Gallagher, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
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