Counting the coronavirus cost at Tokyo's Olympics

The virus affected almost every part of the Olympics, with safety measures in place throughout

The pandemic affected almost every part of Tokyo's Olympics, forcing a historic postponement, the banning of almost all spectators, and ending the dreams of more than a few athletes.

As the Games wrap up, AFP looks at some questions and answers about how virus concerns played out during the pandemic Olympics.

From July 1 to Sunday, the final day of the Games, Tokyo 2020 says it identified 430 positive cases in a population of 52,000 overseas participants and athletes and many more Japanese volunteers and security.

There was one so-called "cluster", in the Greek artistic swimming team. All 12 members went into isolation in the second week of the Games after five members tested positive.

Cases were already on the rise before the Games, and Tokyo has been under a state of emergency for weeks.

Japan has recorded just over 15,200 deaths during the pandemic.

Virus regulations meant athletes who tested positive could not continue in the Games. 

Former US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau and tennis star Coco Gauff tested positive before setting out for the Games.

Some athletes were already on the ground and training when they got the news, including US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, who withdrew from the Games.

How did teams react?

But the rules around isolation for those testing positive did cause some controversy.

Dutch taekwondo fighter Reshmie Oogink described the quarantine as "Olympic jail".

For the most part, teams stuck to the rules and got on with their sport. But there were a few notable exceptions.

And five members of Australia's mens hockey team were reprimanded for breaking out of the bubble to buy beer.

Organisers also denied any connection to rising virus cases in Tokyo, and the city's governor even argued the Games helped people keep at home to watch on TV.

Crowds were seen lining up to be photographed at the Olympic rings outside Tokyo's main stadium, and local media reported an increasing number of bars and restaurants defying calls to close by 8pm and avoid selling alcohol.

The Paralympics open on August 24 and will be subject to many of the same restrictions as the Olympics, including regular testing for athletes and limits on their movement.

Even under the current emergency, crowds of up to 5,000 are allowed into sports and music events in Tokyo.

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Originally published as Counting the coronavirus cost at Tokyo's Olympics