Athletes Are Prohibited From Hugging And 'tos' At The Tokyo Olympics

Olympic illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The new Tokyo Olympics guidebook prohibits athletes participating in the world's sports events from hugging or high-fiving.

The 33-page raw guidance document also warns that athletes could be kicked out of competitions if they violate strict regulations regarding COVID-19.

According to the guidelines, athletes will take a test for COVID-19 at least once every four days, and will be barred from competing if found positive.

Their stay in Japan will be reduced to reduce the risk of infection, and people living in the Olympic Athletes Village are expected to avoid unnecessary forms of physical contact.

Guidelines for athletes and team officials will be revised in April and revised again in June, followed by the release of guides for match officials, media and broadcasters a week later.

The document provides athletes with a detailed description of the virus test, which requires a negative result on a test that is done 72 hours before traveling to Japan and will be tested again when they land.

There will be no quarantine for athletes, and they will still be allowed to attend training camps in Japan before the Olympics begin, however, all movements must be registered and use of public transport must be authorized by the authorities.

Athletes may not visit gyms, tourist areas, shops, restaurants or bars and can only go to the Olympic arenas and limited additional locations.

They are also advised to always wear a mask, except when competing, practicing, sleeping, or being outdoors.

The guidebook on COVID-19 was released as the organizing committee, Olympic officials and the Japanese government worked hard to build confidence that the Olympics could take place safely despite the virus problem.

Athletes are advised to be vaccinated, but that will not be a condition for participating in the Olympics.

Support for hosting the Olympics remains low in Japan, with about 80 percent of the Japanese population supporting cancellations or further postponements.

The organizing committee was also not free from problems, after the head of the Tokyo Olympics, Yoshiro Mori, made a statement regarding sexism.

So far, Mori has apologized for his remarks, but he has refused to resign.

The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to start in Tokyo on July 23.