Czech NOC will form a council of experts to review all measures ahead of Beijing 2022

The Czech Olympic Committee (COV) Executive Committee met for the first time after the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on 6 September where, in addition to other discussions, a review of the analysis of the positive COVID-19 cases of COV athletes and officials at Tokyo 2020 took place.

The analysis was started in Tokyo and included the input of independent experts. COV Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission and two-time Olympic Champion Martin Doktor and Chief Medical Officer Jiri Neumann, provided a comprehensive report and recommendations to the Executive Committee.

We are very sorry for the athletes and officials that were impacted by this and we will continue to offer them our full support in their future careers.

Martin Doktor said, “Our analysis was always meant to be able to move towards the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, and ensure to the best of our abilities that this situation is not repeated. Although the COV followed all the prescribed procedures and in fact went beyond the requirements with pre-flight testing, an infected person got on board. Unfortunately we are living in a very challenging time and we can never be sure that any environment is completely secure from the virus. We are very sorry for the athletes and officials that were impacted by this and we will continue to offer them our full support in their future careers.”

The Executive Committee has tasked Chief Medical Officer Jiri Neumann with forming a council of experts, comprising leading epidemiologists and medical professors in the Czech Republic, as well as other independent experts, with reviewing all measures ahead of Beijing 2022. Additionally, the COV strongly encourages all athletes and officials to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

COV President Jiri Kejval will meet the four athletes that tested positive for COVID-19 in Tokyo and long-time partner of the COV, electricity supplier ČEZ, has offered financial support to the athletes. The COV will also continue to liaise with National Federations to ensure that COVID-19 measures are continuously reviewed and updated to offer the best protection to athletes and officials.

The Executive Committee praised the COV delegation in Tokyo for its outstanding efforts, in spite of the COVID-19 challenges. It was the country’s most successful Games since the establishment of the Czech Republic, with four gold, four silver and three bronze medals won by the team.