HH Shaikh Khalid affirms Tokyo Olympics will defeat pandemic

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The 32nd edition of the Olympic Games “Tokyo 2020” officially kicked off on Friday, following an inauguration ceremony held under the patronage of the Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

The event was attended by many political personalities and sports figures from across the world and the delegations of the participating nations.

On this occasion, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority president and Bahrain Olympic Committee president His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed the successful opening.

HH Shaikh Khalid praised the huge efforts exerted by Japan to host this prestigious event amid the implications of COVID-19, which had postponed the Olympic Games for one year. “Holding this event represents a victory for the sports community against COVID-19 as it comes despite the restrictions and implications imposed by the pandemic,” HH Shaikh Khalid said.

“This is an opportunity to see life returning to normal across the world. “The Japanese Organising Committee of the Olympics and in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee has managed to overcome barriers to create an ideal environment to embrace the Olympics.

To see this number of countries is a success in itself that it’s added to the successes achieved in the previous editions.” Moreover, HH Shaikh Khalid expressed great pride at the exceptional participation of the Bahraini delegation in the parade of the opening ceremony after capturing the attention with their traditional dress which is an integral part of the culture of Bahrain and the GCC.

HH Shaikh Khalid underlined the importance of the Olympic Games, which always pushes athletes to give their best to achieve important results.

He wished the Bahraini sportspeople all the best in their participation and urged them to be the best ambassadors for the Kingdom of Bahrain by accomplishing great successes.