Updated Tokyo Playbooks Released

(ATR) The second versions of the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks begin rolling out, introducing more details about countermeasures to ensure a safe and successful Olympics and Paralympics.

The updated 60-page playbook for Athletes and Team Officials was the first to be jointly released by Tokyo 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on Wednesday. The original version was 30 pages.

The latest versions of the playbooks for other stakeholders will be released in the coming days, all building on the initial editions revealed in February.

"The new version of the playbooks is based on the latest scientific data, public health expertise and drew also on many lessons we’ve learned from other international sporting events," says Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi during a virtual media conference on Wednesday.

With less than three months to go before the Opening Ceremony, Dubi says this newest edition of the playbooks is key to delivering the Games.

"They will have to be abided by and they will be abided by but what is really important is that now everybody has got clarity of what has to be done in what we are going through now, which is the final operation readiness."

The most important measures, as agreed by the IOC, IPC, Tokyo 2020, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Government of Japan, are as follows:

• All participants are required to take two COVID-19 tests before their flight to Japan.

• In principle, athletes and all those in close proximity with athletes will be tested daily to minimize the risk of undetected positive cases that could transmit the virus. The dates and times will be set in line with the sports events and schedule.

• All other Games participants will be tested daily for three days after their arrival. After the first three days and throughout their stay, they will be tested regularly, based on the operational nature of their role and level of contact with athletes.

• All Games participants must, in principle, only follow the activities they have outlined in their activity plan. They must minimize contact within one meter of Games participants who have already been in Japan for more than 14 days, and Japanese residents.

• All Games participants must, in principle, exclusively use dedicated Games vehicles, and they are not allowed to use public transport.

• All Games participants must, in principle, eat only in the limited locations where COVID-19 countermeasures are in place, including catering facilities at Games venues, their accommodation's restaurant, and their rooms, using room service or food delivery.

• Close contacts are defined as those who have prolonged contact (for 15 minutes or more) with a person who has a confirmed positive COVID-19 test, within one meter, without wearing a face mask. This is particularly applicable when such contact happens in enclosed spaces such as hotel rooms or vehicles. Cases will be confirmed by the Japanese health authorities.

Click here to read the playbook for Athletes and Game Officials in its entirety.

Dubi warns the final version of the playbooks, scheduled to be released in June, could contain even more restrictions.

"What I can tell you is that the playbook, when it comes to its final shape and form, will reflect the status of what is needed considering the health circumstances at that point in time. Let it be clear, if it takes for some of the measures to be even more restrictive than today, so they shall be."

Written by Gerard Farek

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