IOC Vice President Coates visits Japan

Olympic Game preparations ramp up as summer opening approaches

International Olympic Committee VicePresident John Coates arrived in Japan on Tuesday, as organizers ramp up final preparations with just over five weeks until the pandemic- postponed Games open.

Ahead of his arrival, several dozen people protested against the Games in Tokyo, though recent opinion polls suggest public opposition may be weakening.

Later Tuesday, organizers will release the final version of their virus countermeasures for athletes in a so- called “playbook” that they say will keep the event safe.

They have already announced measures including daily testing for athletes and GPS tracking of journalists coming from abroad, in an attempt to reassure a skeptical public.

National polls have regularly shown most people in Japan oppose holding the Games in the summer of 2021 – preferring either a postponement or cancelation.

But with the first foreign athletes already in the country and Olympic officials arriving, there is some evidence that opposition may be declining.

A survey in early June found half of the Japanese public back holding the Games, and a new poll published late Monday showed 64 percent now support it going ahead.

The new survey by national broadcaster NHK found 31 percent of respondents want the Games canceled, down from 49 percent in May.

In all, 64 percent said they want the Games to go ahead – including 29 percent who favor a ban on spectators, 32 percent who want limited spectators and 3 percent who want no fan restrictions.

Coates will be in quarantine for three days, according to local media, and subject to some restrictions on his movement after that.

Japan’s mandatory 14- day quarantine for overseas arrivals is being relaxed for Olympic participants.

But organizers insist that Tokyo 2020 will be safe, with around 80 percent of those staying at the Olympic Village expected to be vaccinated, and rules preventing athletes from contact with

Japan’s public.

Overseas fans have already been barred from the Games, with a decision on how many domestic spectators will be allowed expected in late June.

The ruling will come after a virus state of emergency in Tokyo and other parts of the country is lifted on Monday.

The current measures largely involve a ban on the sale of alcohol at restaurants and bars, which must also close by 8 pm.

The Kyodo news agency reported late Monday that the government could keep some restrictions in place in Tokyo during the Games, potentially limiting the number of spectators who could attend.

Japan has seen a smaller outbreak than many countries, with just over 14,000 deaths, but Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government has come under fire for its response.

A survey in early June found half of the Japanese public back holding the Games, and a new poll published late Monday showed 64 percent now support it going ahead.