Tokyo Olympic organisers threaten athletes with deportation, heavy fines and arrest if they breach coronavirus rules

Olympic medal winners will have to wear a mask when they are presented with their medals, with deportation threatened for any athlete that breaches Covid-19 rules.

Tokyo 2020 official Hidemasa Nakamura attends an online press briefing for the presentation of the Tokyo 2020 Playbook. Picture: AFP

Olympic athletes face deportation from Japan and heavy fines if they break any of Tokyo Olympic Covid-19 countermeasures, which includes all winners having to wear a mask when they are presented with their medals.

The newest version of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic coronavirus rules, known as the “playbook”, was released on Tuesday and detailed that athletes also face other penalties including a withdrawal of accreditation and the right to participate in the games for various breaches.

In a direct threat to athletes, the organisers said the penalties and potential consequences were “non-exhaustive’’.

The playbook said medallists as well as medal presenters would have to wear masks during the ceremonies at the competition venues.

Reporters huddle around Tokyo 2020 main operation chief Hidemasa Nakamura (centre, seated) after an online press briefing for the presentation of the Tokyo 2020 Playbook in Tokyo. Picture: AFP

Athletes have also been told that going places not included on their official activity plan – which essentially restricts athlete movements between the Olympic village and competition and training venues – would be a serious breach.

The tough new measures have been introduced to convince the Japanese public – which has low vaccination levels – that the Games can be held safely.

Tokyo 2020 main operation chief Hidemasa Nakamura said “no stone had been left unturned” in the preparation of the games’ playbook.

“I am confident with everyone’s co-operation these playbooks will have laid the foundation for a safe and secure Games,” he said.

The Olympic experience for the athletes competition in Tokyo will be a soulless affair, with strict rules governing daily testing, as well as their movements to and from training and competition and even how they can eat. Athletes are encouraged not to mingle or interact with others, while masks must be worn at all times both indoors and outside.

Athletes will also leave the Olympic village once their competitions are finished and return to their home country, avoiding the near-traditional mayhem at the Olympic village where swimmers, who have finished their competitions in the first week, party hard for the second week. Organisers have also flagged that there could be further measures introduced for athletes participating in the opening and closing ceremonies.

Organisers say that more than 80 per cent of Olympic participants will be fully vaccinated before they arrive in Japan.