Olympic Games 2021: what should athletes expect?

The Tokyo Olympic Games were postponed by a year due to COVID-19. The Japanese governemnt said that while vaccinations will not be mandatory for athletes, the games will not be open to tourist viewing. So what can sports fans worldwide expect from this year's games? Photo: Danny Choo/Flickr

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is calling on athletes to limit their movements and prevent Covid-19 infections prior to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

According to The Playbook, a guide published on the official IOC website, athletes will not be able to leave the Olympic Village for any activities unrelated to the Games.

This means that Olympic athletes will not have to undergo the 14-day quarantine currently required by the Japanese government for everyone who enters the country, but will have their movements restricted.

Athletes will not be able to use public transport, unless they have permission, while they’ll only be able to visit the competition venues and places designated by the IOC, as stated in the guide.

Anyone who wants to enter any of the sports venues will have to undergo a temperature measurement. If you register a fever higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius two or more times, you will not be able to enter the premises and will be transferred to undergo a test.

The international federations will also have to establish a Covid liaison office, which will be the intermediary between the athletes, Tokyo 2020, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the authorities of the country.

Even though the future of the Olympics is unclear, the IOC is doing its best in celebrating the Games in Tokyo this year, a message of hope to the world during this pandemic.