Tokyo Enters a State of Emergency Two Weeks Before the 2021 Olympics
Image courtesy of Olympics. com.  The Tokyo Olympic Games has seen many hurdles, including a postponement of a full calendar year until summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, just two weeks before the games are scheduled to start, with concerns about a potential rise of COVID cases, Tokyo is entering a new state of emergency. On Monday, July 12, Tokyo entered a state of emergency that will last until after the Olympic Games, which are scheduled to start on July 23 and conclude on August 8.  The decision will significantly impact spectator attendance: fans from abroad are already banned, and officials have asked that residents watch the games on TV from home. Additionally, fans are not allowed in the Olympic venues in Tokyo as well as several neighboring venues. Just 28% of Japan’s population has received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, and on Sunday, July 11, Tokyo recorded 502 new cases of COVID-19. With these newly reported cases, this marks the 23rd consecutive week in which Tokyo has seen a rise in cases from one week to the next. Athletes coming to Tokyo will need to quarantine three days after arrival and will be tested frequently and monitored closely during The Games. This most recent state of emergency, Tokyo’s fourth state of emergency due to the pandemic, will last until August 22, shortly before the Paralympic Games begin in Tokyo on August 24.  As to what effect coronavirus will have on these much-awaited Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, only time will tell. Still, there is serious concern amongst the locals, athletes, medical personnel alike. It will undoubtedly be interesting to monitor these developments and changes in the coming weeks as all involved will soon begin to make their way to Tokyo.   The key dates of the Tokyo Games for all of the Team USA wrestling enthusiasts out there are July 31 through August 7.  A full schedule detailing important dates and times for all Team USA athletes (across all wrestling disciplines) are found here, courtesy of Andrew Spey at FloWrestling. 

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