It’s exactly one month to go until the scheduled start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo and with it comes the news that Tokyo Governor, Yuriko Koike, has checked herself into a city hospital due to fatigue.
A government official has confirmed that Koike is taking a break from official duties this week. The announcement comes as preparations for the Games ramp up, amid public concerns about the number of COVID-19 infections in the city.
Polls have shown that most Japanese citizens are unhappy about the hosting of the Olympics. But government and sports officials have insisted that the showpiece will go ahead amid strict health protocols.
Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics organisers have announced that no alcohol will be sold or consumed at Olympic venues. Its president, Seiko Hashimoto, says this will be done in an effort to prevent the spread of infections.
Alcohol sales have been restricted in and around the city. Health officials have warned that drinking could encourage close contact, and mingling in bars that could further spread the virus.
Yang’s ban cut
And, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has cut Chinese swimmer, Sun Yang’s eight-year ban for doping violations to four years. The decision means Sun will miss the Tokyo Games, but will be eligible for the Paris Olympics in 2024. He is the reigning World and Olympic champion in the 200 metre freestyle.
CAS banned Sun for eight years in February 2020 after it upheld a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against a decision by swimming governing body, FINA, to clear him of wrongdoing during a test in 2018.
He was banned after he and members of his entourage were found to have smashed vials containing blood samples taken at an out-of-competition test in September 2018.
He also served a three-month doping suspension in 2014 for taking a banned stimulant.
