Presentation of talismans and criticism Sobchak
There is only a week left until the XXXII Summer Olympics, and athletes are gradually starting to gather in Tokyo.
However, not all of them go smoothly in their last days of preparation.
So, on the eve it became known that the masseur of the Russian women's national rugby-7 team passed a positive test for coronavirus.
The entire team, located in the Japanese city of Munakata, was forced to go to a four-day quarantine.
There was a fear that the athletes would have to withdraw from the competition altogether, but this information was refuted.
Later, all rugby players passed two negative tests for COVID-19, so they will be able to return to training on Saturday.
As for the masseur himself, he was sent to the hospital, but nothing threatens his life.
Representatives of other sports approach the competition as usual.
So, one of the main contenders for the Tokyo medals in athletics, Maria Lasitskene, spoke about her preparation.
She won the tournament in Finland, which became her first after an injury.
On Saturday, she will perform at another start, after which she will go to Japan.
“I am glad with the result, glad that nothing worries me in terms of health.
In no case do we relax and continue to work.
The most interesting is yet to come.
There is still time for preparation before the Olympic Games and I hope we will spend it very efficiently, "the press service of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) quotes Lasitskene as saying.
Recall that the Russian woman is a three-time world champion in high jump, and at the upcoming games she will have a chance to win the first Olympic award.
Meanwhile, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has presented the final version of the team's mascots.
As announced earlier, they are two unusual characters that combine the features of animals and objects close to all Russians - Teddy bear and Shapko-cat.
“They are different, each has its own character and opinion about everything that happens around.
Mishka is a real funny and sociable guy who will not miss the opportunity to joke.
And the Cat is serious enough, thorough.
Sometimes he can, of course, and pin up, but always in a kind way, "- said in the message of the ROC.
The mascots were developed by the studio of the famous designer Artemy Lebedev.
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Publication from the Russian Olympic Committee (@olympic_russia)
Unlike the mascots, the Russians in Tokyo will not be able to support the ambassador of the national team, Evgeny Medvedev.
Together with the ROC, she decided not to go to Japan due to the difficult epidemiological situation, as well as the large number of restrictions during the Games.
“This decision was not easy.
Until recently, I sincerely hoped that the situation would still allow us to be close to our team in Tokyo.
Everyone knows how much I wanted to support the guys and how kind I am of Japan, but the restrictions imposed make the trip meaningless, ”Medvedeva complained.
In addition, on the eve of the Games, there were several ambiguous situations that were not directly related to athletes.
Prescriptions appeared in the media about how Russian Olympians should answer provocative questions regarding Crimea, the Black Lives Matter movement, doping scandals and other topics.
In particular, they are encouraged to avoid sharp statements and in some cases refuse to comment.
The ROC stressed that the organization really focuses the attention of athletes on some topics in order to avoid ambiguous situations, but there are no strict prescriptions.
At the same time, the very fact of the presence of the instruction caused an ambiguous reaction.
While some experts expressed bewilderment about this, the Kremlin explained that sometimes they can really be useful.
“Because athletes are not politicians, but, unfortunately, many want to make them politicians, many are trying to attract them to politics.
And then they find themselves in difficult situations, "- quotes the words of the press secretary of Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov RIA Novosti.
Meanwhile, the name "Paralympic Diary - One Foot in Tokyo" angered the famous TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak, who in an obscene manner criticized the channel's staff, noting that their joke had failed.
Paralympian Dmitry Ignatov had to stand up for them.
“Dear Ksenia Anatolyevna, I came up with the name“ One foot in Tokyo ”.
And all my friends, paratlets, and in general all people with disabilities like it madly.
They write that it is cool.
We want and will show people with disabilities without sad music and snotty comments, ”Ignatov explained.
In response, Sobchak took her words back and wished the athletes good luck at the Paralympic Games, starting on August 24.
Olympic Village opening and protests in Japan
In Tokyo, the last stage of preparation for the Games, complicated by the pandemic, is coming to an end.
The organizers announced changes in the ceremony of awarding the medalists of the competition.
Following the example of other international tournaments, in order to avoid unnecessary contacts, athletes will be forced to wear awards themselves.
At the same time, only fully vaccinated members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be able to take part in the celebrations.
Meanwhile, an Olympic Village has opened in Tokyo.
According to the organizers, in total, it will become a temporary home for 11 thousand athletes, who, of course, will also have to observe strict security measures.
However, despite the restrictions, one of the first future residents of the Olympic Village has already tested positive for coronavirus and has been quarantined.
The disease was also detected in one member of the organizational group.
Their names were not disclosed.
In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19 was recorded in a hotel where the Brazilian judo team resides.
In connection with the pandemic, the Olympic Games were under threat of disruption until the last moment, and both local residents and some politicians and doctors opposed their holding.
The main target for criticism is still the IOC President Thomas Bach, who is accused of selfishness and pursuing his own selfish goals.
That is why his current visit to Japan was marked by several protest actions at once.
At first, the residents of Hiroshima opposed the visit of the head of the IOC to the city, scheduled for July 16.
In their opinion, the holding of the Games endangers the lives of a large number of people.
“Thomas Bach uses the image of a 'world without nuclear weapons' only to justify the violent holding of the Olympics during a pandemic.
This is an insult to the feelings of the survivors of the nuclear bombing, "- quoted by The Guardian one of the protesters.
Another incident occurred during a meeting between Bach and Tokyo Mayor Yuriko Koike.
One journalist in the audience called the IOC president a liar, shouting that “airports are dangerous,” presumably hinting at the conditions for the Games.
The guards had to take the intruder out of the hall.
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