The podium to be used for the medal ceremonies at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games is seen during an event to mark 50 days to the opening ceremony, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on June 3, 2021. (ISSEI KATO / POOL / AFP)

Athletes and officials who violate the COVID-19 rules outlined in the third and final editions of the Tokyo 2020 playbook could be kicked out of the Games, according to new revisions listed on Tuesday.

The third version of the playbook, published by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, added more than 10 pages compared to the second edition. Most of the contents are regulations about testing, consequences and sanctions.

Organizers said that every sports delegation arriving in Japan would have a COVID-19 liaison officer coordinating with the organizers of the measures to stop the spread of the virus at the event due to start on July 23.

Athletes and members of the media, whose movements will be restricted, will be subject to GPS monitoring for the first 14 days of their stay in Japan

Athletes and members of the media, whose movements will be restricted, will be subject to GPS monitoring for the first 14 days of their stay in Japan.

Athletes may be exposed to the following non-exhaustive range of potential consequences of warnings, temporary or permanent withdrawal of accreditation, temporary or permanent ineligibility or exclusion from the Games, disqualification or financial sanctions, according to the playbook.

According to the updated version of the playbook, there may also be measures or sanctions imposed by the respective organization or the Japanese authorities in accordance with their respective rules and regulations.

The IOC expects 70 percent to 80 percent of the news media covering the Olympics to be vaccinated, organizers said.

About 11,000 athletes and 78,000 journalists, officials and staff are expected at the Games, and many Japanese fear the influx could contribute to spreading the virus.

"Between 70 percent and 80 percent of broadcasters and accredited press that will be vaccinated, according to the latest feedback received by the IOC," said the organizers in a statement at the news conference in Tokyo announcing the guidelines.

The International Olympic Committee expects 70 percent to 80 percent of the news media covering the Olympics to be vaccinated, organizers said

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An earlier version of the "playbook", released in February and updated in April, banned singing and chanting during events and required athletes to wear masks at all times except when outdoors, sleeping or eating.

Athletes and close contacts will be tested every day, while all participants must have two negative tests before arrival, officials have said.

Visitors will not be allowed to use public transport for their first 14 days and must eat in specific locations with special hygiene measures.

"It is crucial that the measures outlined in the playbook are respected in order to make the Games safe and secure for all Games participants, and the people of Japan," IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said.

Tokyo 2020 Main Operations Centre Chief, Hidemasa Nakamura, was confident that the playbook will be strictly followed by the participants.

"The top priority of the Tokyo 2020 Games is safety, and the playbook are key to that objective," he said. "I am confident that with everyone's cooperation these playbook will have laid the foundation for safe and secure Games."  

State of emergency

The launch of the latest guidelines coincided with arrival in Japan of John Coates, a vice-president of the IOC who is its point-man for the event. Coates sparked a backlash last month when he said the Games - already postponed from last year due to the coronavirus - would go ahead even if Tokyo were under a state of emergency due to the pandemic.

Japan's government is considering ending the state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping some curbs such as on restaurant hours until the Olympics start in July, domestic media have said.

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Economics Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, in charge of Japan's COVID-19 response, said that with hospital occupancy and infection rates still high, it was too soon to talk as if lifting the state of emergency was a done deal.

It is crucial that the measures outlined in the playbook are respected in order to make the Games safe and secure for all Games participants, and the people of Japan.

Christophe Dubi, IOC Olympic Games Executive Director

"Now is a critical time to call on the public, to suppress infections and to take initiatives for a stable supply of hospital beds," he said. A decision on the emergency could come as early as Thursday, media reported.

Japan has not suffered the explosive COVID-19 outbreaks seen elsewhere, but has still recorded more than 772,000 cases and over 14,000 deaths.

A slow vaccination rollout, though recently accelerating, means only 13 percent of the population has received at least one shot.

Suga's support slides

A June 1-9 online survey of companies by think-tank Tokyo Shoko Research showed 64 percent favored canceling or postponing the Games. Nearly 60 percent said doing so would hurt their businesses but just over 40 percent expected a positive impact.

Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said at a news conference that Pfizer Inc would provide doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to an additional 20,000 people involved in the Olympics and Paralympics, Kyodo news agency reported, doubling the amount previously promised by the US pharmaceutical firm.

Some 80 percent of qualified athletes have already been vaccinated and the IOC is pushing to raise the number.

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Japan's often patchy response to the coronavirus has eroded support for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

A survey by NHK public TV showed 37 percent approved of his government against 45 percent who disapproved, the highest disapproval rating since he took office last September.

More than two-thirds were not persuaded by his explanation of why the Games should be held or how they would be made safe.

Just under one-third wanted the Games canceled while 61 percent wanted either a cap on spectators or no spectators at all. Organizers have already decided against allowing spectators from abroad and will make a call on domestic spectators later this month.