IOC President Thomas Bach has written a letter to athletes concerned about the coronavirus ©Getty Images

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has reassured athletes the organisation will find solutions to challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak on their attempts to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

In a letter published on the Athlete365 platform, Bach reiterated his promise of a "fair" process for this year's Olympic Games following the cancellation and postponement of numerous qualifiers because of the virus, which he described as being a "major concern for all of us".

The IOC President also thanked athletes for their "flexibility and solidarity" after some were forced to change their competition schedule, training and travel plans at short notice when their competitions were relocated.

"Of course, we know that the ongoing Olympic qualification is challenging and that it requires a lot of flexibility from you, your National Olympic Committee (NOC) and your International Federation (IF)," Bach wrote.

"Some of you had to change your competition schedule, training and travel plans because of venue changes and travel restrictions. 

"I want to personally thank you for all this flexibility and solidarity, which is the true Olympic spirit.

"Rest assured that the IOC continues to work hard with the NOCs and the IFs to find solutions for these challenges and to ensure a fair Olympic qualification under these circumstances."

The letter marks the latest promise from Bach to athletes whose Tokyo 2020 qualification bid has been hampered by the virus, which has so far killed over 3,300 people and infected more than 96,000 worldwide.

Bach had previously revealed quota places could be increased for sports worst affected by the coronavirus and suggested this could include awarding spots at the Games to athletes who would "most likely" have booked a Tokyo 2020 berth if they could have taken part at a qualification event.

The IOC President also outlined the support in place for athletes concerned about the impact of the virus on their attempt to qualify for the Games, set to open on July 24, and repeated his insistence that competitors proceed with their preparations with "full steam".

The IOC has repeatedly stressed the Games will take place as planned amid suggestions the event could be cancelled or postponed because of fears over the virus, which has spread to more than 60 countries.

Bach claimed cancelling or postponing Tokyo 2020 had not even been mentioned during the two-day IOC Executive Board meeting which concluded yesterday.

But the German lawyer conceded the virus was a "major subject of discussion" at the meeting.