COVID-19 positive cases continue to increase at the Olympic Games, and as of the beginning of August, Japan had recorded more than 250 COVID-19 cases directly linked to the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, according to the organising committee.

Athletes who have tested positive have been forced to leave the Olympic Village.

ATHLETES WITH COVID-19 AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

The Tokyo Olympic Games organising committee confirmed that 27 people inside the Olympic Village had tested positive after undergoing PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, three of whom were athletes.

The highest number of infections since the start of the Olympic Games was recorded during the last week, which has led to stricter health measures and increased controls across all Olympic facilities.

Following the positive COVID-19 test of Germán Chiaraviglio, it was detected that world pole vault champion Sam Kendricks (London 2017) had also contracted the virus. In these cases, the regulations are very strict, and athletes are not allowed to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In addition, following these cases, several members of the Australian athletics team who had been in close contact with Kendricks were required to quarantine.

COVID PROTOCOLS AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

To ensure the protection of all Olympic athletes and guarantee the development of the Games, all participants must comply with the regulations and rules established by the organising committee in order to prevent new COVID-19 infections during the Olympic Games.

However, two Georgian judo athletes were expelled from the Olympic Games for breaching COVID protocols by going sightseeing around the city.

According to the regulations established by the IOC for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, which are taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the Olympic Village is strictly prohibited for the safety of athletes and all staff members.

COVID CASES IN TOKYO DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES

While the Olympic Games were taking place, Tokyo recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus cases during the last week of July. Authorities in the Japanese capital reported 3,177 new cases in 24 hours, marking a new daily record for the second consecutive day.

However, there were no plans to suspend the Tokyo Olympic Games, according to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

This new daily record while the Olympic Games were underway raised concerns among many athletes.

COVID-19 infections among the elderly population have decreased significantly thanks to vaccination, but cases among younger unvaccinated people have been increasing. This situation is very similar to what is currently happening in Spain, where hospitals and health centres are treating more young people compared with the beginning of the pandemic.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES WITH COVID-19?

We do not know whether the Tokyo Olympic Games will be suspended in the coming days, but it is clear that the organising committee's current intention is far from cancelling the Games and all the consequences that this would involve, despite being in a very delicate situation.

We will continue to closely monitor developments in Tokyo and the Olympic Village, and we hope that the Olympic Games can be completed without further withdrawals.

Following protocols, using face masks, and carrying out daily testing are essential measures to prevent the current situation from worsening during the Olympic Games.