Everything You Need To Know About Athletes And Covid At The Olympics

Ask some people, and they’ll tell you adamantly that there’s no way the Olympics is going ahead. While for the most part we can’t wait to see the world’s top athletes compete on sport’s biggest stage, the fact remains that amidst the uncertainty surrounding the global coronavirus pandemic, the thought of individuals sweating it out together seems…well, unlikely. In an age where social distancing regulations seem to govern our every action, the Olympics seems to defy everything we’ve since learned to adopt during this time. 

But for those sceptical of the Olympics going ahead, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) remains adamant that the Games will commence on July 23. Not surprisingly, the IOC has come forward with a guide called The Playbook, in which rules and protocols are outlined in an effort to keep athletes and everyone else safe. Ultimately, the goal is to have the Olympics take place without the event turning into a global super spreader of the coronavirus. 

What this means is that athletes will be subjected to rigorous tests and protocols. All night parties at the Olympic village? Forget it. Instead, organisers are now requiring that athletes take two Covid-19 tests on two separate days within 96 hours of their departure to Japan. These tests must come back negative in order for thew athlete to check-in at the airport. Upon arrival to Japan, they will then be tested again at the airport and must quarantine for the next three days. To prevent the spread of the virus, athletes will receive daily Covid-19 tests via a rapid saliva antigen test. 

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In terms of life in the Olympic Village, athletes will be required to wear a face mask at all times, except when eating, drinking, sleeping, training or competing. Physical interactions are asked to be kept to a minimum and a two-metre distance should be kept from all athletes, even when eating. As well as this, designated transportation will be used for the event and temperatures will be taken every time an athlete enters a Games venue. Athletes also won’t be allowed to tour other parts of Japan, but will instead be required to solely visit official Games venues and limited locations. 

Should an athlete test positive to Covid-19, they will be required to isolate in accordance with the instructions from Japanese health authorities. Even more devastating than this is that they will not be allowed to compete. Anyone who was in close contact with them will need to isolate and be tested but as the IOC suggests, whether or not close contacts can then compete will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

It certainly puts a different spin on the Olympics and it’s clear that Tokyo 2020 will be a far cry from those Games we’ve witnessed in the past. Now, even overseas spectators are banned and it’s unclear if the crowds will be full at all, with officials yet to reach a verdict on whether domestic spectators can watch events in person. You have to spare a thought for those athletes competing and how strange this Olympics will be for them, particularly for those who have dreamt of competing for so long only to have the reality so far removed from their expectations. 

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