2 athletes first to test COVID positive in Tokyo Olympic Village

In a first, two athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 in the become Tokyo Olympic Village, officials said on Sunday, just days ahead of the scheduled start of the delayed Games. 

Amid fears in Japan that the 2021 Olympics might lead to a rise in coronavirus cases, this comes as a cause for concern for a nation that is already in the deep battling the pandemic. An identified non-participant in the village became the first case, followed by two athletes that tested COVID positive.

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The Olympic Village will now house 6,700 athletes and officials. 

Japan has expressed concerns over consistent lack of support in barring the Tokyo Olympics, which was delayed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The games are scheduled to take place behind closed doors to prevent infections. 

On July 17, 2021, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said he was “very well aware of the scepticism” surrounding the event and appealed for Japanese fans to support the Games.