The first suspensions due to COVID-19 and distrust of the organizers: why the holding of the Games in Tokyo is still in doubt

Two days before the start of the Olympic Games, the atmosphere around the competition remains tense, primarily due to the difficult epidemiological situation.

According to local media reports, the number of cases of coronavirus is growing in Tokyo.

For the first time since January of this year, 1832 cases have been detected per day.

The Japanese capital is still in the state of emergency, which will last until at least 22 August.

Despite all the precautions designed to avoid the spread of coronavirus at such a large-scale sports forum like the Olympics, it has not yet been possible to completely protect the guests of Tokyo.

The day before, eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection were recorded.

This list includes one athlete, the rest are responsible for the organization.

The total number of cases on the eve of the Games has reached 80.

The names of the members of the delegations were not disclosed, but it became known about the positive test of the Czech volleyball coach Simon Nausz. Previously, the disease was diagnosed in the men's team player Ondřej Perušić, who was immediately isolated from his colleagues. However, the team was forced to admit that this measure did not work in full. In addition, table tennis player Pavel Siruchek and member of the US beach volleyball team Taylor Crabbe were confirmed ill.

And the first athlete suspended from the Games due to the coronavirus was Chilean taekwondo player Fernanda Aguirre.

Both of her tests, passed at the airport, were positive, in connection with which she was forced to quarantine for 10 days.

This will prevent her from taking part in the tournament, which should start on July 25th.

The federation assured that the girl's tests were negative before flying to Japan.

The Netherlands national team also lost its representative.

Skateboarder Candy Jacobs was forced to withdraw from the competition for the same reason.

"My heart is broken.

Unfortunately, this morning I tested positive for COVID-19.

This means that my Olympic path has come to an end.

I feel good and did my best and took all precautions to avoid this scenario.

Fortunately, we followed the safety protocol, so my fellow skateboarders will still have the opportunity to shine, ”Jacobs wrote on Instagram.

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Publication from Candy Jacobs (@candy_jacobs)

Jacobs became the fourth female athlete to be infected in the Olympic Village.

In addition to her and Perusic, South African footballers James Monian and Kamochelo Makhlatsi had previously passed positive tests.

At the same time, the latter will be able to play at the Olympics if they receive a negative result.

But the Russian swimmer Ilya Borodin was not able to go with the team to Tokyo at all because of the second positive test. According to the first vice-president of the All-Russian Swimming Federation Viktor Avdienko, the athlete, declared at a distance of 200 m and 400 m in a complex, observed all precautions, but it was not possible to avoid infection. Fortunately, the disease is asymptomatic.

Despite the fact that there is very little time left before the opening ceremony, and some competitions have already begun, fears remain that the Games will start on time and will not be canceled. Earlier this was announced by the general director of the organizing committee Toshiro Muto and the former director of the Institute of Health at King's College London, Keiji Shibuya. However, the director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is more optimistic. He spoke about the importance of holding competitions during a pandemic.

“Perhaps this year's celebrations will not be as lavish, but the message of hope is of great importance.

Let the Games become something that will unite the world and fill us with the solidarity and determination that is needed to jointly defeat the pandemic and by the middle of next year reach 70% of the vaccinated from the population of each country, ”Inside the Games quotes Gebreisus.

He added that it is impossible to nullify cases of infection during the Olympics, so the response to the discovery of new cases will be critical - participants in the competition must count on timely diagnosis and treatment.

At the same time, not all of the security measures taken seem to be reliable.

According to a Russian volunteer working in Tokyo, there are many ambiguities in the medical protocol, which is why the rules are often simply not followed.

“In the absence of clear instructions, all claims of a 'safe' Olympic Games become empty phrases. But what kind of security can we talk about if Japanese volunteers, medical workers, members of the Japanese and other Olympic committees live outside the "bubble"? In such a situation, apart from some contractual obligations, I do not see any other reasons for holding the Games. Of course, I want the world to move forward, but the holding of these Games does not help the coming of a new life without covid ”, - quotes the volunteer Sport24.

In this regard, some teams have already begun to refuse to live in the Olympic village.

So, the coach of one of the main contenders for gold in artistic gymnastics, Simone Biles, Cecile Landy, said that the US women's team had moved to another location.

The day before, the reserve Kara Iker passed a positive test for COVID-19, and the federation decided that it would be easier to control the athletes in the hotel.

Vaccination prior to the Games is voluntary, but some athletes have already faced criticism for reluctance to get vaccinated.

Some time ago, the world swimming champion Michael Andrew explained his refusal by the fact that he did not know how the injected drug would affect his body.

After that, he was condemned by both journalists who called him an egoist and his colleagues.

In particular, two-time Olympic champion Maya Dirado accused Andrew of not wanting to use the free achievement of American medicine at a time when most of the world suffers from a lack of vaccines, and also that he endangers teammates.

“Freedom has a broader meaning, which the Apostle Paul speaks of - what are we using it for?

Are we protecting the defenseless?

Are we helping to stop the pandemic that continues to take away family members both at home and in our host country?

Michael has the right to do whatever he wants.

But not all of this is beneficial, ”wrote Dirado.