Covid-19

Chinese athletes wearing protective face masks arrive in Tokyo before the Olympics. Photo: Reuters

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Health & Environment

Japan counts Olympic waste cost after medical supplies and food discarded

Games organisers last week issued an apology for ‘mismanaging’ medical equipment that was stockpiled before being thrown away unused.

10 Sep 2021 - 7:53PMvideocam

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Tokyo schoolchildren will attend Paralympics despite surging Covid-19 cases

20 Aug 2021 - 4:31PMvideocam

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo infection numbers threaten Paralympics as Suga watches approval slump

9 Aug 2021 - 8:57PMvideocam

Hong Kong

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tiffany Chan reveals she had Covid-19; finishes strong at the Olympics

The LPGA Tour player hopes to stand on top of the Olympic podium in future just like Hong Kong’s five medal winners after making adjustments to finish in tie for 50th.

7 Aug 2021 - 11:45PMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching says she has learned more lessons after competing in her second Olympics. Photo: Reuters

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Sentiment towards Tokyo Games improves despite state of emergency

Rising tide of positivity could be stalled by the decision to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo and expand the measure to four more regions.

30 Jul 2021 - 7:08PMvideocam

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: Japan reports more than 10,000 new cases for first time

Olympics organisers said two Games-related people from overseas with Covid-19 have been hospitalised but neither case is serious.

29 Jul 2021 - 9:55PMvideocam

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: Covid-19 cases linked to Games now 148

Tokyo 2020 organisers said three of the 16 new were athletes, while the Dutch rowing team is isolating after coronavirus cases in its camp.

26 Jul 2021 - 4:18PMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks on the phone with judo gold medallist Naohisa Takato on Sunday. Suga’s approval rating is at the lowest point since he took office last September. Photo: Kyodo

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: IOC insists on masks on podiums, 10 new cases reported

Masks are mandatory across all Olympic venues for all athletes, staff and media, but some medallists were seen taking them off on the podium.

25 Jul 2021 - 4:21PMvideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

With spectators banned, how will Japanese fans watch the Olympics?

Many Japanese had their hopes of seeing Olympic events live or at fan zones dashed. TV sales have shot up as they plan to view at home instead.

23 Jul 2021 - 12:42PMvideocam

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Covid-19 cases spike as dignitaries arrive for Olympics opening ceremony

Infections in Tokyo hit their highest number since mid-January with two more athletes testing positive. Dignitaries including US first lady Jill Biden have begun arriving in Japan for the opening ceremony of the Games on Friday.

22 Jul 2021 - 10:31PMvideocam

US first lady Jill Biden arrives at Yokota air force base, outskirts of Tokyo, on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo News via AP

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Japan’s Suga to meet Jill Biden, WHO chief Tedros ahead of opening ceremony

The Olympics are due to start on Friday, amid rising Covid-19 cases and a heat wave that is complicating the preparations of athletes.

21 Jul 2021 - 9:14PMvideocam

Politics

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

China’s Olympians determined to win gold despite Covid-19 challenges

Many of the Chinese delegation has arrived for the Games and are in their final days of training before Friday’s opening ceremony.

21 Jul 2021 - 10:49PMvideocam

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: Covid-19 cases hit 71 before first matches begin on Wednesday

Japan’s pledge to hold a safe and secure Games is being threatened by growing Covid-19 cases in Tokyo, with visiting athletes testing positive.

21 Jul 2021 - 12:16AMvideocam

Politics

Japan

Foreigners at Japan’s universities still stranded as Olympic athletes arrive

The plight of foreign residents barred from the country is under the spotlight as 11,000 sportspeople from around the world converge on the capital.

20 Jul 2021 - 3:40PMvideocam

Tokyo 2020 volunteer staff wait for overseas athletes and coaches at Tokyo International Airport on July 8. Photo: EPA

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: US gymnast tests positive for Covid-19

The defending all-around champion Simone Biles was not affected, nor were any of the other favourites to win the team gold.

19 Jul 2021 - 10:14PMvideocam

The National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: EPA-EFE

East Asia

Coronavirus pandemic

South African cases raise fear of Covid-19 cluster at Tokyo Olympic Village

Organisers on Sunday reported 10 new cases connected to the Olympics including media, contractors and other personnel, compared with 15 new cases on Saturday.

18 Jul 2021 - 10:33PMvideocam

East Asia

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

First Covid-19 case at athletes’ village stokes fears ahead of Olympics

The person, whose nationality was not revealed, tested positive during a routine check on Friday.

18 Jul 2021 - 7:29AMvideocam

Health & Environment

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Covid-19 cases among Olympics teams likely ‘tip of the iceberg’: expert

Athletes and staff from Kenya, Russia and South Africa are some people who have been classified as close contacts or tested positive for Covid-19.

15 Jul 2021 - 10:51PMvideocam

Tokyo reported 1,308 new coronavirus cases on July 15, 2021. Photo: AP

Other Sport

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Ipsos poll finds 78 per cent of Japanese against Olympics happening

Globally, 57 per cent are against Tokyo 2020 going ahead though 62 per cent agree it is important chance for world to come together, survey says.

14 Jul 2021 - 10:35PMvideocam

Sport

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Olympics chief in ‘Chinese-Japanese’ slip of tongue as he vows safe Games

Thomas Bach says IOC is in solidarity with Japanese people in enforcing ‘intensive Covid countermeasures’ in their efforts to keep athletes and the population safe.

13 Jul 2021 - 3:59PM

Diplomacy

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

China and Japan pledge mutual support as Olympic hosts

Chinese ambassador to Japan seeks assurance from games organisers that Chinese athletes will be safe in Tokyo.

13 Jul 2021 - 3:02PMvideocam

Police officers walk past one of the entrances to the Olympic Village in Tokyo on July 13, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which begin on July 23. Photo: AFP

OPINION

Jonathan White

Japan needs Olympic stars to shine to appease sceptical public

23 Jul 2021 - 9:38AM