No second chances: Olympic athletes will be barred from competing in the Tokyo games if they return a positive Covid-19 test… and Great Britain stars could even be held in a ‘government-approved isolation facility’
- The Covid-19 ‘playbook’ for athletes ahead of the Games was leaked on Friday
- British athletes must test negative before flying to Japan for pre-Games training
- Athletes may be barred from entering the Olympic Village if they test positive
- Athletes must only arrive at the Village within five days of their event starting
- They must leave their accommodation within two days of their event finishing
- Competitors have also been asked to come up with Covid-friendly celebrations
Team GB stars have been told they cannot compete at the Olympics if they test positive for coronavirus while in Tokyo – and they may even have to isolate in a ‘government-approved facility’.
The ‘playbook’ of Covid-19 protocols for athletes at this summer’s Games was leaked on Friday and makes clear there will be no second chance for athletes who catch the virus.
It says: ‘If you have a confirmed positive test for COVID-19 during the Games, you will not be allowed to compete.
Olympic athletes will see their long-held dreams dashed if they return a positive Covid-19 test
‘If your test result is confirmed positive you must isolate in accordance with the instructions of the Japanese health authorities, which may be in a government-approved isolation facility.’
Most British athletes are attending pre-Games training camps in Japan and they must be tested before they travel to the country and then again three days before they arrive at the Olympic Village.
They could be prevented from entering the Village if they test positive and no athlete can go to their accommodation more than five days before their event, and must depart a maximum of two days after.
As previously reported by Sportsmail, Olympians could be kicked out of the Games for ‘repeated or serious failures to comply with rules’.
Athletes have also been told to ‘find other ways to celebrate’ with handshakes, hugs and all physical contact with others banned.
The document adds: ‘It is crucial that you take personal responsibility for your part in the plan. As athletes and team officials, you will set the standard.
Britain’s fastest woman Dina Asher-Smith is one of the country’s biggest medal hopes in Japan
‘We trust that the measures laid out will mitigate any risks and impacts involved in participating in the Games, and we fully count on your support to comply with them.
‘However, despite all care taken, risks and impacts may not be fully eliminated, and therefore you agree to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games at your own risk.’