Tokyo Olympics: Here’s what you need to know now

PINK & GREEN

This Olympic Games is different. From no spectators to hundreds of Covid Tests every day, this is the Covid edition of the world’s greatest spectacle. The difference starts at the airport itself. A pink slip maybe bad news back home, here at the Tokyo airport the pink slip stands for a covid negative Test. If the result is positive, you get a green slip and tested again — this time with an RTPCR Test. A second positive will mean 14-day isolation and goodbye to your Olympics dreams.

SPIT PROPERLY

We are told not to spit because it’s unhygienic. But in Tokyo you need to be good at spitting to give your covid sample properly. The cylindrical test kits have a mark which has to be met when you give sample. Otherwise, the result might come inconclusive and put you in a spot. With India being in the red list, one of 14 such nations, you need to be tested every day for the first seven days and then every 4 days for as long as you are in Japan.


SUPERSPREADER

One of the Olympic Games’ biggest highlights is the opening ceremony. Every athlete dreams of marching in the opening ceremony, which is watched by billions across the world. Not so in Tokyo. Here, the opening ceremony is being perceived as a possible virus superspreader and athletes are apprehensive about attending it. India will only field 28 athletes out of a 120-member contingent and Great Britain will have 30 of its 376 athletes attending the opening ceremony.


SCARED SPONSORS

With the Games losing support among the local population and concerns over a possible spread of Covid growing, key sponsors have dropped Olympic adverts this week. Unable to withdraw at the last minute, they probably want to steer clear of stoking a controversy and losing local support. Many have decided against attending the opening ceremony.