Brits hit by Covid chaos

found to have Covid. Team boss Mark England said: “This is disappointing news for the athletes and staff but we absolutely respect the protocols in place.

“We will offer them every support during this period and we are hopeful that they will be able to resume training again soon.”

That could be within 48 hours if each provides two negative PCR tests, yet a more nagging concern for organisers is the spread of the virus into the Village.

The facility, with 21 residential buildings, 3,600 rooms and 18,000 beds, only opened to athletes on Tuesday.

Yet three members of South Africa’s men’s football team have been placed in isolation after returning positive tests.

The alarming development follows Olympics boss Thomas Bach assuring a fearful Japanese public that the Games would be “safe and secure”.

These Games, staged in a city operating under a state of emergency, are walking a tightrope. The rest of South Africa’s football team tested negative a second time but that will do little to dispel fears that the virus is now loose in a supposedly controlled environment.

Taekwondo champion Jade Jones admitted on Thursday that she was “petrified” of getting pinged.

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organising committee, said: “The athletes who come to Japan are probably very worried and I understand that.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure it is Covid secure.

“If we end up with a Covid outbreak we will take the necessary steps then as well.”

Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini (inset) has pulled out of the Olympics because of a thigh injury.

The world No.8 from Italy had his left thigh bandaged during his defeat in the final to Novak Djokovic.

Berrettini, 25, said on Instagram:

“It is devastating to miss the Olympics.”