Tokyo Olympics organisers said that they plan to hand out around 150,000 free condoms to athletes, but the new rulebook rules say that urged them to limit contact with other people and take the condoms home. The rules also urge the athletes to refrain from using them in Olympic village where COVID-19 protocols are to be followed to the T.

Since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, large amounts of condoms have been given out at the Summer Games to create awareness of HIV and AIDS.

“The distribution of condoms is not for use at the athlete’s village, but to have athletes take them back to their home countries to raise awareness” of HIV and AIDS issues,” news agency Reuters quoted Tokyo 2020 as saying.

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Officials have already barred overseas spectators and are asking those in attendance to show their support by clapping rather than singing or cheering to contain the spread of the virus.

The athletes will also be asked to dine alone, maintain social distancing with others, and wipe down surfaces after eating.

“Without the proper measures in place, it will only take one person to bring in the virus and spread it, especially in places like the athlete village,” Nobuhiko Okabe, one of the infectious disease specialists advising Tokyo 2020, said.

“We have to do what we can to make sure an outbreak doesn’t happen, and we really need the cooperation of all the athletes and delegations to make this work,” he added.

The Games are due to open in Tokyo on July 23.