Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > Sports Video

Thomas Bach plays beach football ahead of Games

CCTV.com

07-29-2016 15:50 BJT

Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

As the world's top athletes are now descending upon Brazil in anticipation of the Games, and worries remain, that not everything will be ready. But one person, not troubled is the IOC President Thomas Bach, who would get his kicks on Copacabana Beach.

Thomas Bach plays beach football ahead of Games

IOC President Thomas Bach plays beach football ahead of the Rio Games.

The German was given his own football jersey in the famous yellow hue of the host nation, and he would put it on, and show off his name on the back. He is German, so he probably knows a thing or two about the beautiful game. I am assuming he did not play the sport on sand growing up in Europe. Later he would have a kick-about, even taking a penalty shot on the beach, before playing keep upsides.

The President knows the pressure is on to get everything ready for the Games, but believes that Brazil will have everything completed for the opening ceremony on August fifth.

"In the last days before the Games start, there are always many issues, and many challenges to overcome. This is always the same at any Olympic Games, and there, Rio makes no difference. But seeing the great progress which has been made here in the last couple of months, seeing the enthusiasm of the Brazilians, and in the meantime knowing them a little bit, that they like to finish things in the last seconds, I'm sure that it will come together and we will have great Games. Seven days before the Games, or ten days before the Games, never ever something was 100 percent. There is no reason to be complacent, but you will see it will be a fantastic Games, a la Brazil," Bach said.

IOC President Thomas Bach plays beach football ahead of the Rio Games.

IOC President Thomas Bach plays beach football ahead of the Rio Games.

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat