- Title: No concerns from athletes over COVID, say IOC
- Date: 20th July 2021
- Summary: CAMERA OPERATORS AT NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2021 13:01
- Keywords: IOC Kirsty Coventry Olympics Tokyo 2020
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Olympics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA006EMN9RUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Athletes in the Olympic Village were 'sharing the excitement they had' rather than worrying about catching COVID-19, former Olympic medallist Kirsty Coventry said on Tuesday (July 20) in her capacity as an official of the IOC.
Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, Coventry, who is the Chair of the Athlete's Commission, played down fears that coronavirus could be easily spread among athletes who are sharing accommodation ahead of the Games.
She also urged athletes to respect 'Olympic values' after the slight relaxation of Rule 50, which bans political protests. British footballers have indicated they will take a knee in solidarity with anti-racism campaigns at the women's soccer tournament, which begins before the official opening ceremony on Friday (July 23).
Meanwhile, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told journalists that 'everything' was being done to ensure the Games were 'safe and secure'.
He also said the IOC were 'pleased and proud' of their relationship with Toyota, despite the Japanese car giant announcing that it would not run domestic adverts during Olympic coverage because of public sentiment in Japan.
(Production: Xihao Jiang, Iain Axon) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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