The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (Tokyo 2020) today published the first Playbook, a resource which outlines the personal responsibilities key stakeholders must take to play their role in ensuring safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
In this playbook, International Federation (IF) members receive their first framework for how their attendance in Tokyo will work in practice, and it gives a good indication of what coaches, athletes and the media can expect to find in their own playbooks, to be released in the coming weeks.
The playbooks are expected to be updated over the coming months. "These Playbooks are the official, centralised source of information for the Olympic and Paralympic Games stakeholders, and the first versions will be updated with more detail over the coming months, as the global situation relating to COVID-19 becomes clearer ahead of the Games," stated the IOC.
'Test, Trace & Isolate'
As expected, the playbook is heavy on policies and procedures, governing the period before an individual travels to Tokyo, their first 14 days on the ground, as well as their departure from Japan. Individuals traveling to Japan for the Olympics and Paralympics are expected to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their departure, and, once in Japan, are expected to limit their activities and interactions as much as possible. The phrase 'Test, Trace and Isolate' recurs throughout the manual, and details the necessary steps to inhibit the spread of COVID-19 during the Olympics and Paralympics.
'No Hugs, Handshakes or High Fives'
IF members are also expected to maintain up-to-date close contact lists, and to limit their interaction with athletes. In the surest sign that the 2021 Olympics are going to be very different, the IF playbook asks individuals to limit their physical contact with athletes by refraining from hugs, handshakes and high fives, and by expressing your support for athletes by "clapping, and not singing or chanting."
Olympic and Paralympic athletes should expect a number of constraints on their stay in the Olympic Village during the Games. Athletes "will be subjected to strict control measures to ensure their safety. This will include limiting the amount of time athletes and support staff stay in the Village, restrictions on socialising outside the Village, their movement between official Games venues, and a COVID-19 screening system that will see athletes and support staff screened during the Games," said the IOC.
What about the Vaccine?
Given the vagaries of the worldwide vaccine rollout up to this point, the guidance from the IOC is clear that they will not be relying on the vaccine to provide a significant layer of protection for the Olympics and Paralympics. "You will not be required to have received a vaccine in order to participate in the Games - and all of the rules outlined in this Playbook will apply, whether or not you have received the vaccine," the playbook states.
"The health and safety of everyone at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 are our top priority," said IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi. "We each have our part to play. That's why these Playbooks have been created - with the rules that will make each and every one of us a sound, safe and active contributor to the Games. We know these Olympic Games will be different in a number of ways. For all Games participants, there will be some conditions and constraints that will require flexibility and understanding. By committing to following the Playbooks we will be stronger together. In return, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be remembered as a historic moment for humanity, the Olympic Movement and all those contributing to their success."
Material from the IOC was used in this report
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