International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach attends an IOC session on July 20, 2021, in Tokyo. (Photo courtesy of IOC)(Kyodo)

       TOKYO(Kyodo) -- International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach on Tuesday described the Tokyo Games as "a chance for Japan to shine," as concerns increased over new games-related cases of positive tests for COVID-19, including a foreign athlete at the athletes' village.

       "The stage is set for the athletes to shine and inspire the world," Bach said in an address at the 138th IOC Session. "This is also a time for Japan to shine."

       "Despite the very difficult decisions that you, the Japanese authorities, we the IOC, and all of us had to take, these Olympics will send a powerful message from Japan to the world. The message of peace. The message of solidarity. The message of resilience."

       "Billions of people around the globe will follow and appreciate these Olympic Games. They will admire the Japanese people for what they have achieved," said Bach.

       Earlier in the day, nine fresh cases of infection were announced. They also included an Olympic volunteer for the first time since the committee started compiling figures on July 1, bringing the total number of games-related infections to 67, three days ahead of the opening ceremony.

       But IOC spokesman Mark Adams at a Tuesday press conference sought to assure a skeptical Japanese public that the necessary safety measures are in place.

       "I think our message (to the Japanese people) is that we understand concerns, these are difficult times. But I think we would like to assure them that everything is being done," Adams said.

       "The level of testing...the playbooks as you have seen are not very easy to deal with. But it is important that we do all follow the rules and I think we can give them a level of satisfaction that everything is being done by us to try and ensure that there will be a safe and secure games."

       IOC Athletes' Commission chairperson Kirsty Coventry said there was no apparent concern among the athletes regarding the COVID-19 issue when she visited the athletes' village on Monday.

       "Yesterday when I was in the village there was no concern from any athletes that they raised with me. They all were just sharing the excitement they had and how they wanted to just get on and start competing," she said.

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