Tokyo Games: reinforcement of tests for athletes and uncertainty about the presence of the public

The public coming from abroad is already banned because of the pandemic. And Tokyo and three other Japanese departments have since Sunday been placed under a third state of emergency in the face of the increase in Covid-19 cases, which requires sporting events to take place behind closed doors. Until then, various events such as baseball or football games and a figure skating tournament have however been held in front of a masked audience and refraining from cheering the athletes.

If spectators were allowed to attend the Olympics, similar rules will be put in place, the organizers have already announced, giving Tokyo-2020 an atmosphere far from the usual Olympic celebrations.

A decision on local audiences was expected this month, following the unprecedented decision to ban overseas fans in March.

Having stands full of spectators during the Olympics will probably be "very difficult", conceded this Wednesday the president of Tokyo-2020, Seiko Hashimoto.

"Our goal is always to have full sites, but in view of the measures needed to fight the virus, we must not overload medical services."

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The question is how to organize safe Games

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Seiko Hashimoto, President of Tokyo-2020

Japan, relatively less affected by the coronavirus than many other countries, with some 10,000 officially recorded deaths since January 2020, is currently experiencing an outbreak of cases in several departments.

The main medical adviser of the government, Shigeru Omi, judged Wednesday that it was "time to discuss the Olympic Games", in view of the "situation of infections" and the "overwhelmed hospital system".

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Despite the situation, the organizers continue to assert that the Olympics will be able to take place.

“The question is how to organize safe Games,” Seiko Hashimoto repeated.

In an attempt to allay the concerns of the Japanese population, largely in favor of a further postponement or cancellation, Tokyo-2020 published "playbooks" listing strict anti-virus measures, of which a new version was to be presented later today.

These manuals are "a sign of solidarity and respect on the part of the Olympic community towards our Japanese hosts", judged Wednesday the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach.

Athletes participating in the Olympics will be tested daily

The organizers have also announced that the athletes participating in the Games will be tested daily, while the initial plan called for tests every four days.

Athletes will therefore undergo Covid-19 screening tests daily instead of the initially planned interval of once every four days.

The organizers of the Olympics are trying to persuade the public that the event can be held safely despite the pandemic, but the Japanese are mostly opposed to it because of the health risks, according to several polls in recent months.

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