Tokyo’s dreams of a trouble-free run-up to Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony have been shattered by a tally of Covid-19 infections, an alleged rape, a bullying scandal and a vanished weightlifter.
Just four days before the start of what the head of the International Olympic Committee has described as “the most complex” games ever held, organisers said 55 people had tested positive for the virus since July 1.
The problems have erupted following a string of setbacks for the Tokyo 2020 games beyond the pandemic, including corruption and sexism scandals, the scrapping of original plans for the national stadium and fears that the fierce summer heat could endanger the lives of participants.