Covid-19 hit Olympic village,3 athletes test positive

Tokyo Olympics organisers on Sunday reported three new cases of Covid-19 infection among athletes as the population of the athlete's village swells ahead of the start of the pandemic-hit Games next week. Organisers reported 10 new cases connected to the Olympics including media, contractors and other personnel. An International Olympic Committee member from South Korea tested positive for the coronavirus on landing in Tokyo. Ryu Seung-min, a former Olympic athlete, is vaccinated, reflecting the infection risk even from vaccinated attendees.

Infection rates are climbing among the general population of Tokyo, topping 1,000 new cases for four consecutive days. Polls show many Japanese oppose holding the Games with the influx of overseas visitors it entails. The Tokyo Olympics, which will be held largely behind closed doors to prevent infections, are unpopular in Japan where opinion polls have consistently demonstrated a lack of support. The 2020 Games was postponed for a year due to the global pandemic and is being held mostly without spectators and under tight quarantine rules.