The decision was taken in a virtual news conference on Monday to reduce the risk of athletes getting infected by the coronavirus.
The IOC and the Japanese government decided on calling off the Games this year and postponing them to 2021 as the pandemic put the breaks on almost every major sporting event. It was for the first time in its 124-year history that the Games had to be postponed for an entire year.
Athletes to arrive five days before the start of the Olympics
After the IOC executive board meeting took place, president Thomas Bach said that the athletes competing in the next year’s Games would be allowed in the village five days before the start of the event. He also revealed that they would have to depart within two days of their elimination or the completion of the event.
Bach also added that this decision also applies to the officials and other personnel involved. Exemptions would get considered relating to certain situations like training obligations and time schedules.
Athletes participating in the second week of the Olympics, which will feature athletics and wrestling will miss out on the famous opening ceremony. On the other hand, the athletes involved in judo, swimming, and gymnastics will not be able to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics.
With more than 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes expected at the Tokyo Olympics, the IOC, along with the organizing committee, will be issuing further guidelines by January 2021. The Tokyo Olympics 2021 will commence in 2021 on July 23rd.
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