TOKYO: Athletes must wear masks at all Tokyo Olympic Games venues, including medal ceremonies, the International Olympic Committee said on Sunday, but under a new policy they are briefly allowed to remove them on the podium for a photo opportunity.
Masks are mandatory across all venues, both inside and outside, for all athletes, staff and media, as part of Games organisers' strict measures to combat the coronavirus.
"It's not a nice to have. It's a must to have," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams.
"No, there is no relaxation and we would urge and ask everyone to obey the rules," Adams said. "It's important for the sports, for everyone involved and for our Japanese friends and it would send a strong message."
But athletes can briefly take them off on the podium for 30 seconds for a photo opportunity, the IOC said,
During Sunday morning's swimming finals, American Chase Kalisz took off his mask on the winners' podium after his gold medal performance in the men's 400 metres medley.
He was standing next to mask-less compatriot and silver medallist Jay Literland and Australian Brendon Smith, who took the bronze and also removed his mask.
"The swimmers in the venue this morning followed instructions which they were given by the protocol team," an IOC spokesperson said.
"These instructions were in line with a new policy which in the process of being communicated to all."
"It allows for a socially distanced photo opportunity for a maximum of 30 seconds on the podium."
Team Australia also confirmed their athletes had done nothing wrong.
"Our athletes were simply following the direction of the official at the podium, who holds up a sign saying masks off briefly for the photographs," a Team Australia official said.
The Tokyo Olympics are held mostly without spectators as the capital has seen a rise in daily COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
All 12 athletes from Australia, Canada and the United States on the podium for the women's 4X100 freestyle relay ceremony were mask-less, smiling to photographers.
The Olympic teams of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan had paraded mostly maskless through the National Stadium at Friday's opening ceremony, making an awkward contrast with other national teams who covered their faces in line with COVID-19 protocols.
Organisers announced another 10 positive COVID-19 cases to Games-related individuals on Sunday, bringing the total to 132 cases since July 1.
Reuters
Sun Jul 25 2021
![Athletes must wear masks at Games apart from podium moment Athletes must wear masks at Games apart from podium moment](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/41627197199_TOKYO.jpg)
Athletes can briefly take them off on the podium for 30 seconds for a photo opportunity - Gold medalist Chase Kalisz silver medalist Jay Litherland and bronze medalist Brendon Smith, Tokyo Aquatics Centre - Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021. - REUTERS
![Tercekik biji rambutan, warga emas maut sesak nafas Tercekik biji rambutan, warga emas maut sesak nafas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/51692702721_Rambutan.jpg)
Tercekik biji rambutan, warga emas maut sesak nafas
Kira-kira jam 8.30 malam, pihak polis dimaklumkan berkaitan kematian seorang wanita berusia 72 tahun di Klinik Kesihatan Lawin.
![Sektor pembuatan Malaysia dijangka kekal berkembang Sektor pembuatan Malaysia dijangka kekal berkembang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721029437_KualaLumpur.jpg)
Sektor pembuatan Malaysia dijangka kekal berkembang
Terdapat jangkaan pemulihan dalam eksport, dengan subsektor berkaitan teknologi mungkin dapat manfaat daripada kitaran mengembang teknologi.
Olimpik: Misi tersendiri atlet Palestin
Vallerie Tarazi menegaskan matlamat utamanya adalah mewakili jutaan rakyat Palestin yang tidak dapat bersuara.
Ikan paus jarang ditemui terdampar di New Zealand
Ia dipercayai ikan paus yang dikenali dengan nama spade-toothed whale.
Parti pimpinan Imran Khan diharamkan di Pakistan
Tehreek E-Insaf (PTI) iaitu parti yang diketuai oleh bekas Perdana Menteri Pakistan yang dipenjara, Imran Khan diharamkan oleh kerajaan negara itu. Keputusan itu seperti yang dinyatakan oleh Menteri Komunikasi dan Maklumat, Ataullah Tarar pada isnin.
KP Sharma Oli angkat sumpah sebagai PM Nepal
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, pengerusi Parti Komunis Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) (CPN-UML), mengangkat sumpah sebagai perdana menteri Nepal yang baharu pada Isnin. Beliau yang berusia 72 tahun melaksanakan ikrar di hadapan Presiden Ram Chandra Poudel, sekali gus menjadikan beliau empat kali memegang jawatan itu sepanjang penglibatannya dalam politik Nepal.
Keputusan Speaker: Kuasa speaker tidak diperjelas - Penganalisis
Kelompangan yang sangat jelas ketika ini ialah akta tersebut tidak menjelaskan dengan jelas bahawa kuasa speaker adalah secara pentadbiran sahaja dan bukan bertindak sebagai hakim.
![Pembersihan runtuhan di Gaza akibat serangan Israel makan masa 15 tahun - Agensi PBB Pembersihan runtuhan di Gaza akibat serangan Israel makan masa 15 tahun - Agensi PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71713584546_KhanYounis.jpg)
Pembersihan runtuhan di Gaza akibat serangan Israel makan masa 15 tahun - Agensi PBB
UNRWA berkata pemindahan sisa perang di Gaza akan memerlukan lebih daripada 100 lori dan kos melebihi AS$500 juta.
Keputusan Speaker: Parlimen perlu dipertanggungjawabkan - Penganalisis
Parlimen perlu dipertanggungjawabkan kerana menggubal satu undang-undang yang lompang dan lemah untuk dicabar mana-mana pihak.
Pameran WIPO promosi industri kreatif dan produk harta intelek ASEAN
Malaysia amat komited untuk terus mengembangkan potensi harta intelek sebagai pemangkin dan enjin utama pertumbuhan negara.
![Syakilla 'berguru' di Amsterdam Syakilla 'berguru' di Amsterdam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-01/81548168241_Syakilla.jpg)
Syakilla 'berguru' di Amsterdam
Selepas menampilkan prestasi mengecewakan pada Sukan Asia 2018, jaguh karate negara, Syakilla Salni Jefry Krisnan, bakal 'berguru' di Amsterdam selama tiga bulan.