It is 95 steps from the hotel to the bus stop for the special transport to the Olympic sites just for Olympic people.

95 steps in the open air.

That’s allowed.

Even the short walk from the bus station an hour later to the main press center does not stand in the way of a corona regulation for newly arrived.

Anno Hecker

Responsible editor for sports.

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Take a deep breath behind the mask under the scorching sun.

Take a breath for the rest of the day.

Further walks are only allowed between parking lots and sports facilities.

That's what the rule book says.

This is how the friendly folders indicate it.

They are everywhere.

They are on the spot immediately, they anticipate the impending violation of the rules and quickly show the lost person the right way with benevolent body language.

No curfew

They combine a slight rotation of the upper body with the extension of the arms with the hands open upwards.

Guiding instead of warning, giving instead of refusing.

Like masters of caring repression.

Completed with a bow or two.

How come?

Relics from a time when the emperor still had something to say?

"You are polite," says the correspondent, who has long been familiar with Japan, only partially obedient to the authorities.

Today, despite the massive increase in incidence, the government does not dare to order a curfew to contain the pandemic.

She asks her citizens to stay at home and the bar owners, for example, to stop serving alcohol early.

The memory of the Japanese of the massive restrictions on freedom imposed by the ultra-national military in the 1930s is too deep.

Common room or prison?

But there is no room for compromises for the Olympic guest who is looking for freedom.

The friendly steward has his point of view, smiling steadfastly.

Those who do not understand the gestures should be able to read: "Stop here" is written on their sign.

Perhaps that is why the Vice President of the Handball Federation, Bob Hannig, half-understandingly believes that he has discovered a “prison” in the Olympic Village under Corona rules instead of the common room of joie de vivre.

But there is hope for a change of perspective.

On Wednesday, travelers after the night flight had to go to the hotel in a taxi, crammed in the fully occupied aluminum tube.

For their own good and that of the Japanese.

On Friday they were driven to work on the bus.

Anyone who couldn't find a seat had to sit on the floor.