President Bach pays final respects to former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo
IOC President Thomas Bach attended the State Funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at the Budokan in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Abe, who was assassinated in July, was deeply involved in Tokyo’s candidature for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and played a key role in ensuring that the postponed Games went ahead successfully.
President Bach said: "Prime Minister Abe loved the Olympic Games and was a strong supporter of the Olympic values and the power of sport to change lives, particularly those of young people."
Prime Minister Abe was forced to retire due to continuing ill health in August 2020 but remained a strong supporter of the Games.
President Bach added: "With Abe Shinzo, we agreed on the postponement of the Olympic Games at the height of the global pandemic. Without his support the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 would not have taken place. The athletes, the Olympic Movement and fans around the world owe him a huge debt of gratitude."
After the State Funeral, which was attended by representatives of governments from around the world and international organisations, President Bach paid his respects to the current Prime Minster of Japan, Fumio Kishida, and Abe Shinzo's widow, Akie.
President Bach was accompanied during the day by IOC members in Japan Yasuhiro Yamashita, Morinari Watanabe and Yuki Ota.