On Saturday, six days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, the first case of coronavirus was recorded in an Olympic village.
There are currently some 11,000 athletes and tens of thousands of national team members and media representatives attending the Games on Friday in Japan, and the public is worried about the possible spread of the infection.
The Japanese capital is still in a state of emergency due to the virus, with the highest rates in recent days since January. Details of the positive test in the village are not provided, but the Japanese media reports that the infected person comes from abroad. “This is the first case in the village that was discovered during the screening tests,” Masa Takaja, a spokesman for the Tokyo Organizing Committee, told a news conference. “This person is currently in a hotel.”
Tokyo Olympic Minister Seiko Hasimoto explained that she understands the concerns of athletes who have to deal with the fear of the coronavirus and withstand a strict test schedule, as well as pressure from competitors. “Athletes who come to Japan are probably very worried. I understand that, ”she said. “That’s why we need to be completely open.”
The Olympics were postponed for a year last March when Covid-19 spread around the world. Several athletes have expressed concern about the conditions in games, which are characterized by frequent body temperature tests, hand disinfection and daily tests. Australian basketball player Lisa Cambodia refused to start the game for fear of her mental health in a “terrible” biosafety “bubble”, but British weightlifter Sarah Davis added: “I feel like in prison.”
Tosiro Muto, executive director of the Tokyo Games, said the athletes would be tested every day. Therefore, “if someone receives a positive test result, they will be isolated immediately”. “We are doing everything we can to prevent any Covid-19 outbreaks. “If we have an outbreak, we need to make sure we have a plan to respond,” Hasimoto added.
The Olympic Games in Tokyo are planned from July 23 to August 8.
