No condoms since 1988, first corona case among Ugandan delegation arriving in Tokyo

A month before the Olympic Games in Tokyo (July 23-August 8), a first corona case was discovered in an athlete. A member of the Ugandan delegation tested positive for the coronavirus on arrival at the airport. For the first time since 1988, the organization also stated that no condoms would be provided during the Games. Afterwards, the athletes get a few copies as souvenirs.

The other eight delegation members travelled by bus to their residence in Izumisano (Osaka). The Ugandan squad, which will compete in boxing, weightlifting and swimming at the Games, is just the second group of foreign athletes to arrive in Japan. The women’s softball team from Australia is already here.

The name of the Ugandan athlete who tested positive was not released. Like the other delegates, he had been vaccinated and had proof of a recent negative test. The mayor of Izumisano, Hiroyasu Chiyomatsu, already stated that the other delegation members will not be allowed to train for the time being and will be tested daily. The departure of the Ugandan selection was already three days late due to an increase in the number of corona cases in the African country.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), about eighty percent of the athletes will be vaccinated at the start of the Games. Most athletes already received their vaccine last month.

No condoms

Athletes in the Olympic Village are not supposed to have sex with each other. As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, the organization is not handing out condoms this time. This is the first time since the 1988 Games in Seoul (South Korea). The athletes will receive condoms after the Games when they leave Japan. It concerns 160,000 pieces.

The athletes will be subject to very strict hygiene and conduct rules at the Games next month. In the Olympic village, people are asked to adhere to the distancing rules and to avoid “unnecessary forms of physical contact”. Group alcohol consumption is also prohibited. If violated, participants risk hefty penalties, from fines to disqualification and expulsion from Japan.

The organizers opened the doors of the Olympic village to the press on Sunday. That is to receive about 18,000 athletes and team members during the Olympic Games. For the Paralympic Games (24 August-5 September), there are 8,000. There is also a so-called ‘fever clinic’ within the village. This will be used to test people and isolate them if necessary.