10:42     23 April 2021    

As the pandemic continues to play havoc with the Tokyo Olympics, event organisers reported the first infection from the nationwide torch relay on Thursday — a policeman tested positive for Covid-19 a day after his assignment last week at the Olympic torch relay.

As the pandemic continues to play havoc with the Tokyo Olympics, event organisers reported the first infection from the nationwide torch relay on Thursday — a policeman tested positive for Covid-19 a day after his assignment last week at the Olympic torch relay. It is the first positive test connected to the relay since it began March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture. Organisers said the 30-year-old was assigned to control traffic on the April 17 leg in southwestern Kagawa prefecture. They said the officer developed symptoms and tested positive the next day. Local health authorities are investigating. The torch relay involves 10,000 runners crisscrossing Japan for four month, ending at the arrival at the National Stadium on July 23 to kick off the scheduled opening ceremony. Also: Athletes will be banned from protesting on podiums and the field of play at the Tokyo Olympics and Beijing Winter Games after recommendations from the athletes' commission, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday. Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter bans any "demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" at Olympic sites. And following the recommendation, athletes could now face punishment, although possible sanctions are yet to be determined.