New path to Olympic glory: Test, trace, isolate
Test, trace, isolate — this is the running theme of Tokyo 2020.
For everyone staying at the Games Village, a bio bubble for athletes, support staff, and officials in Tokyo’s Harumi district, the day starts at 7 am with a mandatory self-administered antigen test. A positive result means a follow-up , more accurate PCR test, then a trip to the fever clinic.
If the result of the antigen test is negative, it’s time to get on with it.
With more than 18,000 people to be tested every day, the availability of antigen test kits and collection of samples have become the first causes of worry, as stocks and capacities are running out even though only a fraction of the medal hopefuls from 206 different countries have reached the city. And, even before the Games begin, some are heading back.
The Olympics trip turned out to be a cruel experience for Dutch skateboarder Candy Jacobs. She tested positive on Wednesday morning for Covid-19, and had to withdraw from the Games. She was asymptomatic.
“Unfortunately, I tested positive for this morning, which means my Olympic journey ends here. I am feeling healthy and have done everything in my power to prevent this scenario and took all the precautions. Luckily, we’ve been following the protocols so my fellow skateboarders still get to shine bright,” Jacobs wrote on Instagram. “I will need some time to let my broken heart heal and recover from this.”
