Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell has highlighted the "critical" role NOCs will have in implementing the Tokyo 2020 Playbook safety measures this summer ©Getty Images

The "critical" role National Olympic Committees (NOCs) must play in contributing to the safe delivery of this summer’s re-arranged Tokyo 2020 Games has been highlighted by Acting Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President Robin Mitchell.

Reiterating ANOC’s support of the Playbook measures developed by Tokyo 2020, the Japanese Government, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as guidelines to athletes and officials before and during the Games, Mitchell said: "The IOC, IPC and Tokyo 2020 have done an excellent job in developing these Playbooks and providing the main principles that will guide us all in our preparations for the Games.

"NOCs have a critical role to play in contributing to the safe delivery of Tokyo 2020 through the support and information they provide their athletes and team officials.

"At ANOC, we are committed to working with our NOCs to ensure they have all the information they need.

"We also recognise that this Playbook is the first version and that more detail will need to be provided to allow NOCs to continue their planning in the months ahead.

Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell has highlighted the
Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell has highlighted the "critica" role NOCs must playin in implementing the Playbook safety measures designed for Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

"ANOC will continue to work with NOCs, the IOC and Tokyo 2020 so that together we can ensure a safe and successfully Olympic Games.”

ANOC actively participated in reviewing The Playbook for Athletes and Team Officials which was distributed to NOCs earlier this month. 

Mitchell has served as co-chair of the NOC and Athletes Working Group for the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission and worked to ensure that NOC and athlete interests have remained at the heart of discussions and decisions.

The Playbook outlines the responsibilities athletes, officials and NOCs must follow before they travel to Japan, when they enter the country, during their time at the Games and when they leave the Games.