There are cries of ‘one rule for us, another rule for them’ from Olympic veterans left furious at what they perceive to be the double standards of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Many of those landing in Tokyo are subject to three-day quarantine and are served aeroplane-style breakfasts, complete with plastic cutlery, which they must eat in their hotel rooms.
For other meals, they are permitted 15 minutes to head out and buy something from a convenience store (with security staff on reception timing their movements) or order a take-out to their door.
Athletes waiting for Covid tests at Narita airport in Tokyo, while the big wigs get luxury living
However, IOC members at the five-star Okura in central Tokyo appear to be permitted to stroll into the swanky venue’s restaurant, where chefs prepare personalised meals and table service is enjoyed, regardless of how long they have been in the country.
That includes those who have flown in directly or transited from the UK.
An IOC spokesperson said they were abiding by Olympic playbook rules.
GOLD FOR TEAM GB BASE'S COVID SAFETY
Team GB cannot be accused of failing to take Covid seriously in their multi-storey apartment block at the athletes’ village.
Every door handle and lift button have been covered in self-sanitising tape which is said to have the same anti-bacterial powers as six months of bleaching the surfaces.
Meanwhile, Team GB are being assisted by a Japanese-speaking Italian at their Keio University training campus in Yokohama.
Giovanni is looking after transport and logistics. Insiders say the affable Florentine is so polite that he has not even mentioned the European Championship final.
CEREMONY MUSIC CHIEF KEEPS JOB DESPITE SCHOOL BULLYING
As if Olympic organisers did not have enough to deal with, it has emerged that the man in charge of music at Friday’s opening ceremony saw fit to brag about bullying children with impairments while at school.
Interviews from 1994 and 1995 re-emerged online in which Keigo Oyamada laughingly admits to the horrific bullying of two class-mates with apparent disabilities.
‘I apologise from the bottom of my heart,’ he said in a statement this week.
Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto responded: ‘We were not aware of what he had done in the past. However, we have heard an apology and we are hoping that he will continue to contribute to the Tokyo Games.’
BBC SHELL OUT ON COVID WELFARE
The BBC have paid for Covid officers to monitor their staff’s every move in Tokyo. The IOC have asked each media outlet to nominate a Covid liaison officer and the BBC have brought in an external company to ensure compliance with restrictions.
Meanwhile, television crews from various broadcasters have sent out two teams in case one group is forced into quarantine. ITV appear to have scored the best facilities among the UK press and are living the high life in posh suites at the Hilton.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We take staff welfare very seriously and are working closely with the IOC on all aspects of safety in Tokyo — standard practice for all major events.’
NO SPACE ON THE BUS FOR REPORTERS
Reporters have no option but to take accredited buses from hotels to the media HQ at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre.
With many still to arrive, certain buses are already packed, with standing room only and zero social distancing. ‘If anyone on this bus has got it, we’ve all got it,’ one veteran hack remarked.
TAKING THE KNEE WITH A SIGH OF RELIEF
The early confirmation of Team GB’s women’s footballers
