Virtually violating the instructions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), none of the Pakistani athletes and officials taking part in the Tokyo Olympic Games have fully followed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set for the bio-secure bubble, though they underwent multiple testing for Covid-19.

The IOC had earlier this year communicated to the POA that it was “a must to keep the traveling contingent in a bio-secure bubble for two weeks ahead of its departure for Tokyo”.

The POA had then sought government support for making foolproof arrangements to keep the contingent in a secure environment.

A contingent official told Dawn that the SOPs for the bio-secure bubble could not be followed as athletes preferred to train on their own in different cities — such as shooters in Jhelum, athletes in Lahore and Faisalabad and swimmers in Islamabad.  

It was not possible to set up a bio-secure bubble in each of the centers, the official said.

Pakistan is fielding a tiny contingent comprising 10 competitors and as many officials for the Games.

The official said every contingent member has undergone testing seven times for Covid-19  in the past two weeks.

Six National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of South Asia had earlier pledged to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organizers that their delegations will be completely vaccinated before reaching Japan. The pledges came from the NOCs of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

(SAM)