Guinea reverses decision to withdraw from Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Post created on July 23, 2021
Guinea has reversed its decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics, a day after saying its delegation should not attend the Games, which officially open on Friday.
Sports Minister Sanoussy Bantama Sow said on Wednesday that there were concerns over a recent rise of Covid-19 variants.
“Guinea will participate in the Tokyo Olympics,” Sow told BBC Afrique.
“It was not a question of finances,” he said in response to such accusations. “We were simply caring about the life of our Guineans.
“We spoke with the organisers and they told us they will do everything to make sure our athletes will be safe.”
On Wednesday, Sow had issued a statement announcing Guinea’s late withdrawal, which came with the small delegation yet to fly.
“Due to the rise in cases of Covid-19 variants, the government, out of concern for the health of the Guinean athletes, has regretfully decided to cancel their participation,” the statement, dated 21 July, read.
The Guinean delegation features five competitors – one apiece in athletics, judo and wrestling, while two are swimmers.
One of them, Mariama Toure, is the first in action as she is due to race in the women’s 100m breaststroke heats on Sunday, with judoka Mamadou Samba is scheduled to compete the following day.
Guinea’s withdrawal – had it lasted – would have been the second time a country withdrew from the delayed Games, after North Korea cited Covid concerns when pulling out in April.
