Hashimoto Pledges Safe Games After Ugandan Cases
The head of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee has pledged to step up anti-infection measures after coronavirus cases were found among the Ugandan national team.
Hashimoto Seiko spoke to reporters on Friday after one member of the Ugandan team tested positive at Narita Airport, and another after arriving in the city of Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, which is hosting the team's training camp.
Both athletes were confirmed to have contracted the Delta variant, which was first identified in India.
Hashimoto said the committee will examine the cases to come up with better ways to transport foreign teams and to quarantine infected people at the Olympic Village.
The Japanese committee has said it will consider holding the Games without spectators, if a state of emergency is declared once again, or focused restrictions are introduced on or after July 12.
Hashimoto confirmed such an option needs to be studied, saying the organizers should respond to the ever-changing coronavirus situation.
She added that she will discuss with the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments, as well as the International Olympic and Paralympic committees, no matter what audience cap the government will present.
Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi said virus tests are underway for those who were in close contact with the infected Ugandan athletes. He said his prefectural government will try to prevent infection in cooperation with Izumisano city officials.