Unprecedented safety measures in the lead up to the Olympics

With 81 days to go until the Olympic Games get underway in Tokyo, unprecedented measures are in place to get the New Zealand team to Japan in the midst of a global pandemic. Organisers are working through complex logistics to get the team there and back safely in compliance with International Olympic Committee guidelines.

Last week the IOC launched a detailed playbook for people attending the games.  The committee will require athletes to undergo daily Covid-19 testing and to return two negative results in the four days before departure to Japan. But as Japan continues to battle rising infections and Tokyo last week declaring a two-week state of emergency, can organisers really ensure the safety of athletes?

Kereyn Smith is the chief executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.