Foreign Olympians could be expelled from Japan if they violate COVID-19 regulations

Foreign Olympians could be expelled from Japan if they violate COVID-19 regulations
Foreign Olympians could be expelled from Japan if they violate COVID-19 regulations
Avatar of Harry Johnson
Written by Harry Johnson

Newest version of Tokyo Olympics «playbook» with various COVID-19 countermeasures says all athletes may face penalties for not complying with them, including a withdrawal of accreditation and the right to participate in the games, as well as facing a fine.

  • Disciplinary commission will be in charge of deciding on a penalty when a participant infringes the rules.
  • Athletes, who will be screened for the virus on a daily basis, in principle, need to submit saliva samples either at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. through COVID-19 liaison officers.
  • An infection control center set up by the organizing committee is responsible for confirming a positive COVID-19 test.

Updated rule book released by Tokyo Olympic Games officials yesterday states that foreign athletes participating at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics could be expelled from Japan if they violate rules and regulations enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections.

The third and the newest version of the «playbook» with various COVID-19 countermeasures also said all athletes may face penalties for not complying with them, including a withdrawal of accreditation and the right to participate in the games, as well as facing a fine.

“There may be consequences imposed upon you in the event of a breach of these measures…including procedures for revocation of your permit of stay in Japan,” it said, while noting that some of the steps are under the jurisdiction of Japanese authorities.

Christophe Dubi, the International Olympic Committee’s executive director for the games, said at a press conference that a disciplinary commission will be in charge of deciding on a penalty when a participant infringes the rules.

As for financial sanctions, Dubi said, “There is no number at this point in time”.

“What is in the playbook is a range, a range of possibilities. This is to give an overall impression of what could happen in case of sanctions,” he said.

“We will not speculate which case will lead to what sanction. This is the role of the commission”.

The 69-page rule book, which was created by organizers with advice from the World Health Organization, specified how and when athletes — whether Japanese or foreign athletes — will be screened for the virus during the games, as well as what will happen if a participant tests positive.

However, health care experts have questioned whether the regulations will be effective enough to ensure the safety of the Japanese public and the Olympics, which are set to open on July 23 when highly contagious variants of the virus are raging in some countries.

Athletes, who will be screened for the virus on a daily basis, in principle, need to submit saliva samples either at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. through COVID-19 liaison officers of their respective national Olympic committees, according to the organizers.

If saliva samples come back positive, the organizers will confirm the results with a polymerase chain reaction test using a nasal swab.

An infection control center set up by the organizing committee is responsible for confirming a positive COVID-19 test or deciding who came into close contact with someone who tested positive.

The center will coordinate with a support unit operated by officials of the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee.

The rules will take effect on July 1, the organizers said, adding it is possible to update the regulations ahead of the games.

The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will feature about 15,000 athletes from across the world. There will be up to about 78,000 officials and workers from overseas, less than half the initially planned 180,000.

However, the government is considering placing Tokyo under a quasi-state of emergency during the Olympics after many health experts expressed concern over a potential spike in COVID-19 cases.

The organizers, also including the Japanese and the Tokyo metropolitan governments, have already decided not to hold the major sporting event with spectators from overseas.

They will decide later this month on a policy regarding spectators who live in Japan, while the Japanese government is moving closer to allow at least some people to enter venues, as many as 10,000.

About the author

Avatar of Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson has been the assignment editor for eTurboNews for mroe than 20 years. He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is originally from Europe. He enjoys writing and covering the news.

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