Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Japan may ease entry rules for athletes

Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshirō Mutō has hinted the Japanese Government may relax entry restrictions to allow athletes to train during a 14-day quarantine period prior to next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mutō said it was important to “consider the uniqueness of the athletes” and “their activities” after a meeting to consider measures to combat COVID-19. According to a draft plan of countermeasures, foreign athletes would be tested for COVID-19 before they leave and upon arrival in Japan. But Mutō reportedly raised the issue of how the pandemic and the level of testing is at very different stages in many countries. “Depending on the country, the reliability of the testing is still an issue,” said Muto. “The accuracy of the tests may not be uniform.” The frequency of tests is believed to be among a number of coronavirus measures that are still under discussion. Mutō is hoping the discussions with the IOC and various International Federations will be finalised by December. A coronavirus countermeasures task force, formed of officials from the Japanese Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, are also assessing possible scenarios and measures that could allow the Games to run as expected.