/ 16 July 2021

The countdown is on

Tick tock… There are 7 more sleeps until the Tokyo Olympic Games opening ceremony. Hype man/International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach yesterday promised the event will be “safe and secure”. And in more razzle-dazzle, a raft of COVID-related changes has been announced, including the banning of handshakes and hugs and new rules for medal winners. Instead of receiving their medals around their necks, athletes will go DIY and put them on themselves. Medallists will also have to wear face masks on the podium, as will officials – bad for observing their joy, but good for those who don’t know their national anthem. And with no spectators allowed, Bach said there would be an “immersive sound system” of crowd noises to create an atmosphere for athletes. It comes as Japan, which is currently under a state of emergency to combat the virus, recorded 1,149 new infections in Tokyo on Tuesday – its highest number since mid-January. #SquizShortcut

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