Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Athletes 'must' wear masks at Games apart from podium moment

Athletes must wear masks throughout the Tokyo Olympic Games venues, including medal ceremonies, the International Olympic Committee said on Sunday (July 25), but according to a new policy they are briefly allowed to remove it 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 have," said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams, responding to questions about the mask-less swimmers.

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"No, there is no relaxation and we would urge and ask everyone to obey the rules," the IOC's Adams said. "It's important both for the sports and for everyone involved and of course for our Japanese partners and friends also. It also sends 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's mornings swimming finals as 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 on the podium, next to mask-less compatriot and silver medallist Jay Literland and Australian Brendon Smith, who took the bronze, who was also removed his mask.

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"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 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 mask-less through the National Stadium at Friday's (July 23) opening ceremony, marking 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