ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday received the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach at the Maximos Mansion.

"I am truly very happy that you are here today, in light of these very different Olympic Games, and I await to hear your views on how things will unfold with immense interest. As you are aware, we have already made great progress in terms of our international commitments," Mitsotakis said, welcoming Bach.

Referring to the progress of the vaccine rollout in Greece, Mitsotakis pointed out: "In the beginning, when we started the vaccinations we did not have the same acceptance percentages as we do now. Now the percentages have skyrocketed as we apply a very professional vaccination process and all those that have been vaccinated are very satisfied with the overall experience".

On his part, Bach thanked him for the warm welcome: "I believe that our meeting has a special symbolism. The last time we met was at the beginning of the pandemic and now we are near its end. We now see light at the end of the tunnel and in terms of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Congratulations for the bicentennial anniversary of the Greek Revolution that you celebrated last week".

In this context, Bach underlined that the Olympic Torch Relay for the Tokyo Olympics began on March 25, a significant date to underline the connection with Greece.

Also participating in the meeting were State Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Deputy Culture and Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis and the president of the Greek Olympic Committee Spyros Kapralos.