Governing Bodies
Managing coronavirus outbreak at the pandemic Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics will be like no other Games, with the spectre of coronavirus hanging over every part of the event, and organisers determined to prevent an outbreak.
Here is a look at some of the ways they will try to prevent infections among some 11,000 athletes, and what will happen if cases do emerge at the Games, which open on Friday (July 23).
What safety measures are there?
The latest rulebook for athletes and sports officials is 70 pages long, and the requirements start before they get to Japan.
Athletes must test negative for the virus twice within 96 hours of travel, and again when they land.
They are tested daily while in the country, and they have to leave the Olympic Village within 48 hours of their competition ending.
And there is no chance to soak up the atmosphere: they are not allowed anywhere except their accommodation and competition venues, with a ban on using public transport.
Masks are mandatory, even on the medal podium, with exceptions only for eating, sleeping, training and competing.
What about vaccines?
Olympic officials say 85 per cent of the athletes and teams staying in the Village will be vaccinated. Getting jabbed is not a requirement, but has been strongly encouraged.
But the anti-coronavirus rules are the same for those taking part in the Games, whether they are vaccinated or not.
Tokyo 2020 has organised vaccinations for 38,000 officials, volunteers, local media and airport staff, among others.
What happens if there is an infection?
Athletes are given daily saliva antigen tests, and if they come back positive or unclear, they will have a follow-up saliva PCR test, which is more sensitive.
If that test is positive, they will have a nasal and throat swab PCR test. A third positive result will mean the athlete is out of the Games.
They have to isolate or be hospitalised, with no chance of rejoining the competition.
What if you are a close contact?
Things are a bit more complicated for “close contacts” of an infected person.
The term only applies to people who have spent 15 minutes or more within one metre of the infected person without wearing a mask.
That might include a roommate, or a dining companion but probably not a tennis partner, for example.
Close contacts are separated from others, put in individual rooms and asked to eat alone.
Initially, organisers said a decision on whether they could compete would be made on a “case-by-case”, based on the risk of them spreading infection.
But now they say close contacts who test negative six hours before an event can take part.
What if someone gets really sick?
Medical staff and facilities are key at any Games, but the stakes are higher given the pandemic.
Organisers say there will be some 7,000 medical staff, including doctors and nurses, but have declined to specify the number of beds available.
The push to find these resources has been controversial in Japan, given a recent surge in infections that stretched the local healthcare system.
To head off that criticism, the International Olympic Committee has pledged to bring additional medical staff from outside to reduce pressure on resources.
Is everyone insured?
Olympic participants from overseas, including athletes, team officials and media, are required to have insurance that will cover medical treatment and repatriation.
Olympic rulebooks specify that the insurance must include cover for Covid-19.
Before they enter Japan athletes will need to sign a “written pledge” to obey coronavirus restrictions, and take responsibility for their trip.
“Despite all the care taken, risks and impacts may not be fully eliminated,” warns the Olympic playbook, which details anti-virus measures.
“Therefore you agree to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games at your own risk.”
-AFP
The National Institute for Sports (NIS) has announced plans to establish its South-West Zonal Office in Ogun State, citing the state’s outstanding commitment to sports development and youth empowerment.
The Director General of the institute, Philip Shaibu, made this known during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, where both parties held what was described as a highly productive discussion on strengthening sports education and development across the region.
Shaibu disclosed that the decision was formalised in a letter to the governor dated October 10, 2025, in which the NIS outlined its ongoing institutional reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
These reforms, he said, include the digitisation of training systems, expansion of coaching certification programmes, and the establishment of sports science laboratories to enhance research and professional development.
He added that Ogun State’s strategic investment in youth and sports infrastructure, coupled with its historical role as the “Gateway to Nigeria,” made it a natural choice for hosting the zonal office that will serve the entire South-West region.
In his response, Governor Abiodun expressed delight at the development, describing it as a significant milestone in his administration’s efforts to promote grassroots sports and talent discovery.
“This decision aligns perfectly with our vision to make Ogun State a leading hub for sports excellence,” the governor said. “We are fully committed to supporting the National Institute for Sports in ensuring the successful take-off and operation of this zonal office.”
Governor Abiodun also reaffirmed this commitment in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, noting that the siting of the NIS Zonal Office in Abeokuta underscores Ogun State’s strategic importance in sports development and youth empowerment within the South-West geo-political zone.
He added: “We assure the NIS leadership of our government’s full cooperation and support toward the successful take-off of this zonal office. This initiative aligns with our vision to promote grassroots sports, talent development, and youth engagement. We look forward to a strong and enduring partnership with the National Institute for Sports as we continue to make Ogun State a true Gateway to sporting excellence and opportunities.”
The establishment of the NIS South-West Zonal Office is expected to further decentralise sports administration, enhance capacity building for coaches and athletes, and strengthen collaboration between the institute and state governments in the region.
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The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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