Athletes who break Tokyo Olympics Covid rules could be expelled from Japan

Tokyo, Jun 15 (EFE).- Athletes who violate coronavirus protocol could be disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics and potentially expelled from Japan, according to the guidelines published by the organizing committee Tuesday.

The sanctions will be applied to athletes who refuse to undergo the mandatory Covid-19 tests upon their arrival and throughout their time in Japan, do not wear masks or ignore the social distancing rules, among other infractions.

The list of punishable violations includes breaking the Olympic bubble or deviating from the movement plan submitted beforehand to the organizers.

The punishments range from warnings, temporary or permanent withdrawal of accreditation to participate in Tokyo 2020, disqualification from the competition to “temporary or permanent ineligibility or exclusion from the Games,” according to the latest guidelines revealed on Tuesday.

Violations could be “subject to strict administrative measures including procedures for revocation of your permit of stay in Japan,” it added.

The disqualification or expulsion from Japan will be applied in case of “malicious” violation of the rules or endangering other people’s lives, Tokyo 2020 Main Operations Centre Chief Nakamura Hidemasa said during a virtual presser. 

Daily tests for participants are one of the measures to control potential infections, with the possible infected people observing quarantine in a separate Olympic Village facility where they get medical attention. People who have had close contact with them will be tested. EFE

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