Picture Credit: Olympics
In another blow to the Tokyo Olympics organisers, a member of the Israeli Olympics team has tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Japan. While recently a Lithuanian athlete had also tested positive for COVID-19. The news was confirmed by Japenese News Agency NHK. Last week, two athletes from the Uganda team had tested positive after reaching Japan.
Fans were banned from attending the Tokyo Olympics in Japan after a state of emergency was imposed to contain rising Coronavirus infections in the capital. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga had announced the state of emergency on Thursday. Following which, The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese organizers banned the local fans from the Olympics. Fans from abroad were already banned months ago.
The Israeli athlete who tested positive is reported to be a member of the rowing team. The athlete was tested positive based on an antigen test conducted at Tokyo’s Haneda airport after arrival on Saturday. The athlete has been isolated, according to the officials.
Four others, who travelled with the athlete have been transferred to a facility near the airport. They had all been scheduled to travel to their host town in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture, for training.
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from 23 July to 8 August, while the Paralympic Games will take place from 24 August to 5 September.