GUINEA: Decision to withdraw from Tokyo Olympics reversed

By: Ollus Ndomu

The Guinean government disclosed Thursday, that it had reversed a decision to withdraw its delegation from attending the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.

Minister of Sport Sanoussy Bantama Sow told BBC Afrique that “Guinea will participate in the Tokyo Olympics. It was not a question of finances.”

Sow further refuted claims that Guinea wanted to withdraw due to financial constraints adding the country’s earlier decision was a matter of COVID-19 concerns:

“We were simply caring about the life of our Guineans. We spoke with the organizers and they told us they will do everything to make sure our athletes will be safe.”

The Tokyo Olympics host amidst a surge in COVID-19 infections in Japan.