Guinea reconsiders decision to withdraw from Tokyo Games over COVID fears

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CONAKRY, July 22 (Reuters) – The five Guinean athletes will finally participate in the Olympic Games in Tokyo, a statement from the West African nation’s sports ministry said on Thursday, overturning the decision the day before to suspend its participation in the Games, citing the pandemic.

Sports Minister Sanoussy Bantama Sow said in a letter to the country’s National Olympic Committee on Wednesday that the government had canceled Guinea’s participation to “preserve the health of its athletes” due to an increase in COVID-variants. 19.

Daily coronavirus infections in Tokyo rose to 1,979 cases on Thursday, the city said, the highest level since January.

The July 21 letter seen by Reuters gave no further reason for the decision to withdraw from the Games.

However, the move sparked an immediate reaction from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which sent a letter to the Guinean Olympic authorities on Thursday, saying it was “extremely surprised by the last minute decision.

“We are convinced that this is a misunderstanding because you know that all the necessary measures have been taken by the IOC and Tokyo 2020 to guarantee the health of the athletes and participants,” says the IOC letter seen by Reuters .

He urged the Guinean authorities to immediately reconsider this decision.

Sow said in a sports ministry statement on Thursday that the government has now agreed that athletes can participate in the Games after receiving guarantees from health authorities.

He gave no further details.

The five athletes are 100-meter runner Aissata Deen Conte, judoka Mamadou Samba Bah, wrestler Fatoumata Yarie Camara as well as swimmers Mamadou Tahirou Bah and Fatoumata Lamarana Tour.

Report by Saliou Samb; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Ken Ferris

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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