June 21,2021

Andrew Campbell 

A member of Uganda's Olympic team tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Japan, less than 50 days before the Tokyo Olympics, marking the first case among arriving athletes. According to sources, on June 19, a group of nine Ugandan athletes, including boxers, coaches, and officials, arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport, and one of the athletes tested positive during airport screening.

The Olympics were moved from summer 2020 to summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Despite the fact that the epidemic is far from over, organizers issued virus recommendations for athletes as part of their efforts to keep the Games safe. Critics have expressed concerns about holding the Olympics during a pandemic. On the other hand, the International Olympic Committee, Tokyo organizers, and the Japanese government are confident that the Games can be held safely. Overseas arrivals in Japan are subject to a two-week quarantine, but Olympic teams do not have to go through the same procedures.

However, Tokyo and other major cities remain in a COVID-19 state of emergency, and a delayed vaccination rollout has prompted calls for the games to be postponed or even canceled entirely. Japan is fighting the fourth wave of the pandemic just 50 days before the Tokyo Olympics. Tokyo and the surrounding areas were declared in a state of emergency until June 20. A group of Japanese scientists, including some of the country's leading COVID-19 experts, have warned that allowing spectators at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will allow the virus to spread locally and globally.

Because of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Japan, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning to Americans, including those who may have planned to attend the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The warning will not prevent US athletes from competing in the Summer Games, but it will increase the pressure on Olympic organizers.

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