Inside Japan’s Olympic village
Namibia’s chef de mission has described the situation in the Olympics village as precautious ahead of the Tokyo Games, which begin this week.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The head of mission from the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Dawie Augustyn, said the conditions in Japan at the moment are very hot and humid.
Augustyn, who has been in Japan since last Thursday, however believes the Namibian athletes will have enough time to adapt to the conditions.
He left Namibia earlier to make sure everything was in place as they wait for the arrival of the Namibian team.
“It has been hectic here; I came first to sign off everything as we know that the whole team will not be together.
“The protocols are that athletes will have to leave within 48 hours after finishing their event,” Augustyn said.
Isolated village
He said the Olympic village is well monitored and isolated from the rest of the world.
However, Tokyo Olympics organisers yesterday reported the first Covid-19 cases among competitors residing in the athletes' village.
Last week, Japan reported 1 149 new infections - the highest number of daily cases since 22 January.
Health officials have already warned that the increase in cases signals a fifth wave, predicted to be more infectious due to different variants and the low vaccination rate in that country.
Renewed state of emergency
Amid rising cases, the Japanese government declared a renewed state of emergency for Tokyo and the surrounding regions last week and Olympics organisers announced that no fans would be allowed at events in those areas.
The sporting spectacle is expected to draw close to 90 000 international athletes, support teams and journalists.
Augustyn said, however, that they aren’t aware of what is happening in the outside world.
“We do not have much news from the outside but here everyone is tested daily and wearing masks is mandatory,” he said.
Augustyn also said a large number of health officials will make sure everything is in place.
Team Namibia comprises of 11 athletes and 17 supporting staff members consisting of coaches, managers, medical staff and Namibia National Olympic Committee and government officials.
The head of mission from the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Dawie Augustyn, said the conditions in Japan at the moment are very hot and humid.
Augustyn, who has been in Japan since last Thursday, however believes the Namibian athletes will have enough time to adapt to the conditions.
He left Namibia earlier to make sure everything was in place as they wait for the arrival of the Namibian team.
“It has been hectic here; I came first to sign off everything as we know that the whole team will not be together.
“The protocols are that athletes will have to leave within 48 hours after finishing their event,” Augustyn said.
Isolated village
He said the Olympic village is well monitored and isolated from the rest of the world.
However, Tokyo Olympics organisers yesterday reported the first Covid-19 cases among competitors residing in the athletes' village.
Last week, Japan reported 1 149 new infections - the highest number of daily cases since 22 January.
Health officials have already warned that the increase in cases signals a fifth wave, predicted to be more infectious due to different variants and the low vaccination rate in that country.
Renewed state of emergency
Amid rising cases, the Japanese government declared a renewed state of emergency for Tokyo and the surrounding regions last week and Olympics organisers announced that no fans would be allowed at events in those areas.
The sporting spectacle is expected to draw close to 90 000 international athletes, support teams and journalists.
Augustyn said, however, that they aren’t aware of what is happening in the outside world.
“We do not have much news from the outside but here everyone is tested daily and wearing masks is mandatory,” he said.
Augustyn also said a large number of health officials will make sure everything is in place.
Team Namibia comprises of 11 athletes and 17 supporting staff members consisting of coaches, managers, medical staff and Namibia National Olympic Committee and government officials.
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