The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun
Test events reveal flaws in ‘bubble’
W ith two months to go before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, test events have been completed in all sports except for artistic swimming and water polo.
But while providing dry runs of operations for venue staff, the test events have also exposed problems with regard to ensuring the effectiveness of coronavirus countermeasures in the run-up to the Games.
After a third state of emergency was declared in Tokyo, a total of 11 test events were held in May, mainly using the “bubble” system that isolates travel routes and competition venues from the outside world.
The FINA Diving World Cup held from May 1-6 served as a test event at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, drawing about 200 divers from about 40 countries and territories. All competitors were tested for the coronavirus upon entering Japan and daily for the next three days, then every two days after that.
In the bubble system, it is important to not only keep the virus out, but to keep it from spreading if it gets in. During pre-event practice on the first day, divers waited for their turn at the diving boards by forming lines, which were eventually dispersed after warnings from event officials.
However, divers shouted to each other, exchanged hugs without masks, and gathered for a group photo. “It’s hard to get everyone to follow the rules,” said an official with FINA, the governing body for world swimming.
The International Olympic Committee clearly states in its “Playbook” of antivirus guidelines for athletes that violators may face “withdrawal of [their] right to participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” But it is also essential to enhance awareness-raising measures beforehand.
In addition, it is necessary to establish a system for smooth communication and prompt action when a situation arises.
Prior to the test event for athletics held at the National Stadium on May 9, the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games requested that Japanese athletes, who were coming from all over the country, collect saliva swabs for testing no more than 72 hours before the previous day’s practice, and mail them to a designated testing lab.
One Japanese athlete followed the instructions, but upon arriving at the subtrack for practice on May 8, was refused entrance because organizers had not received the test result.
After a back and forth exchange, the athlete was eventually allowed to enter and practice only under the condition of going to “an area where no one else is present.”
“There are many issues that need to be addressed, such as how tests can be properly conducted, how much athletes’ behavior can be restricted, and who holds the authority over and responsibility for such matters,” said International University of Health and Welfare Prof. Koji Wada, an expert on infection control measures.
“The organizing committee must formulate measures that will convince the public and get the information out.”
LIMITING VISITORS’ MOVEMENTS
Amid growing public opposition to holding the Tokyo Games due to concerns about a possible influx of coronavirus variants as tens of thousands of people converge on Japan from around the world, the government will implement measures to control the movements of athletes, event officials and others.
“Behavior management is a very important issue,” Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa said at a press conference on May 21. “We will place emphasis on checking the sites,” she said, highlighting the need for thorough visual confirmation.
The government is particularly concerned about the 78,000 nonathletes expected to enter the country. Unlike participants, who will be effectively quarantined in the athletes village, visitors will be dispersed in hotels and other locations and may visit places other than competition venues and training grounds, making it difficult to predict their behavior.
The organizing committee has requested that nonathletes stay in hotels and other places for 14 days after entering Japan, and their locations will be monitored by a smartphone app. Organizers also plan to commission people from the private sector to monitor hotels and other locations and conduct visual checks. (May 25)