The First Case Of COVID-19 In The Paralympic Athlete Village, Not From Athletes But From Match-related Officials

Paralympic athletes village (Twitter @paralympics)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 case related to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics was confirmed for the first time at the athletes' village in Tokyo

The committee revealed that as reported by Kyodo, Thursday, the residents of the athletes' village from abroad who tested positive for COVID-19 were officials related to the match, not athletes.

The athletes' village, previously used by Tokyo Olympic participants, officially reopened Tuesday for the Paralympics, one week before the start of the games.

“Was the night before opening, when all about the house. 🏡

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”.

📸: The Paralympic Village is now OPEN. #Paralympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/9aqflsM57Z

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) August 18, 2021

In addition to the Paralympic-related officials in the athlete's village, the committee said 15 other people related to the Paralympics have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total to 74 cases.

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo and many other areas of Japan, the Paralympics will be held without spectators, except for a few students participating in government-supported educational programs.

Antara reported earlier, ahead of the opening ceremony, the committee will hold a series of festivals for the Paralympic torch relay.

The torch relay spans all 43 prefectures of Japan and in Stoke Mandeville, England - the birthplace of the Paralympics - flames will be brought together to create a single flame at a fire gathering event in Tokyo on August 20.

The Paralympic Torch will also tour Shizuoka, Chiba, and Saitama before the climax of the Paralympic torch relay from August 17 to August 24, the day of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics opening ceremony.

Air, Road, Water… All the ways lead to Tokyo! #5DaysToGo#Paralympics #Tokyo2020 @Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/n0SCuHN91d

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) August 19, 2021

To mark the start of the Paralympics, three Agitos - the symbol of the Paralympics - will be fully displayed at the Odaiba Marine Park off the coast of Tokyo Bay.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics take place from August 24 to September 5.