The organising committee of Tokyo Olympics reported 18 more Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Sunday (August 1),&nbsp;bringing the total Games-linked number&nbsp;since July 1 to 259. The residents in Olympic host city Tokyo have also expressed concerns.&nbsp;

Among the total 18 cases, 11 are contractors, five are Olympics-linked officials and one is a volunteer, ANI reported citing Kyodo News. The report further stated that five cases are from abroad while 13 are residents of Japan. Also note that the total figures do not include cases announced by central and local governments.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-2020-police-investigate-as-athletes-involved-in-drinking-incident-in-olympic-village-402151" hreflang="en">Tokyo 2020: Police investigate as athletes involved in 'drinking incident' in Olympic Village</a>

The CEO of the Tokyo Olympics organising committee, Toshiro Muto said that the Games-related infections in Tokyo are within "expectations so far".&nbsp;

As quoted by ANI, Muto said, "We are conducting more than 30,000 tests every day, quickly isolating any positive cases and taking appropriate steps to prevent the virus from spreading. Having gone into these Olympics promising a safe and secure games for all participants, Tokyo residents and the Japanese people, I think we have been able to deal with COVID-19 measures at a level within expectations so far.&nbsp;

Amid spike in cases, the government has&nbsp;extended a state of emergency&nbsp;in the capital and expanded it to neighbouring prefectures. On July 30,&nbsp;Japan said that&nbsp;it will expand states of emergency to three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-2020-tokyo-heat-roasts-outdoor-athletes-amid-heat-stroke-risk-402142" hreflang="en">Olympics 2020: Tokyo heat roasts outdoor athletes amid heat-stroke risk</a>

Locals in Tokyo have also expressed concerns about the surge in COVID-19 cases in Olympic host city. "Of course, I'm worried (about the rising number). There are also some people around me who have become infected," 28-year-old salesman Mikiharu Kobayashi told Reuters.

"It's not a good thing, but I feel like we have to live with it so rather than than being anxious and being unable to do anything, I think we just have to be careful while leading our daily lives," he added.

On Saturday (July 31), the metropolitan government said that cases in Tokyo surged to a record 4,058, exceeding 4,000 for the first time and overshadowing the Games.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The organising committee of Tokyo Olympics reported 18 more Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Sunday (August 1), bringing the total Games-linked number since July 1 to 259.

The organising committee of Tokyo Olympics reported 18 more Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Sunday (August 1), bringing the total Games-linked number since July 1 to 259. The residents in Olympic host city Tokyo have also expressed concerns. Among the total 18 cases, 11 are contractors, five are Olympics-linked officials and one is a volunteer, ANI reported citing Kyodo News. The report further stated that five cases are from abroad while 13 are residents of Japan. Also note that the total figures do not include cases announced by central and local governments. ALSO READ | Tokyo 2020: Police investigate as athletes involved in 'drinking incident' in Olympic Village The CEO of the Tokyo Olympics organising committee, Toshiro Muto said that the Games-related infections in Tokyo are within "expectations so far". As quoted by ANI, Muto said, "We are conducting more than 30,000 tests every day, quickly isolating any positive cases and taking appropriate steps to prevent the virus from spreading. Having gone into these Olympics promising a safe and secure games for all participants, Tokyo residents and the Japanese people, I think we have been able to deal with COVID-19 measures at a level within expectations so far. Amid spike in cases, the government has extended a state of emergency in the capital and expanded it to neighbouring prefectures. On July 30, Japan said that it will expand states of emergency to three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka. ALSO READ: Olympics 2020: Tokyo heat roasts outdoor athletes amid heat-stroke risk Locals in Tokyo have also expressed concerns about the surge in COVID-19 cases in Olympic host city. "Of course, I'm worried (about the rising number). There are also some people around me who have become infected," 28-year-old salesman Mikiharu Kobayashi told Reuters. "It's not a good thing, but I feel like we have to live with it so rather than than being anxious and being unable to do anything, I think we just have to be careful while leading our daily lives," he added. On Saturday (July 31), the metropolitan government said that cases in Tokyo surged to a record 4,058, exceeding 4,000 for the first time and overshadowing the Games. (with inputs from agencies)

Tokyo Olympics: 18 more Games-related COVID-19 cases reported, total at 259

As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in Japan amid a state of emergency, the head of the organising committee for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/para-athlete-olivia-breen-left-fuming-as-official-says-her-shorts-are-too-revealing-399103">Tokyo Olympics</a> Toshiro Muto said, "We can't predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases."

Muto said he does not rule out last-minute cancellation of the mega event stating that discussions will continue "if there is a spike in cases".

"We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again. At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises," Muto stated.

Meanwhile, the head of the Japanese Olympic committee COVID-19 chief Michiko Dohi said that she does not rule out concerns while emphasising that as long as there are proper measures against the virus, the athletes can go ahead "without too many worries".

Coronavirus cases have already clouded the Games ahead of Friday's grand ceremony as female US gymnast &nbsp;Kara Eaker tested positive for coronavirus at an Olympic training camp in Japan which was the fourth case of the virus in Tokyo's Olympic Village.

Czech beach volleyball player Ondrej Perusic had earlier tested positive with the South African men's football team sent in isolation after being named as close contacts even though they have their opening match on Thursday against Japan.

According to Olympic rules, athletes will be tested daily as officials said 85 per cent of the athletes and teams at Games Village will be vaccinated. There will be at least &nbsp;7,000 medical staff including doctors and nurses at the venue.&nbsp;

Amid the coronavirus crisis sweeping the Games, Olympics chief Thomas Bach conceded that he spent "sleepless nights" in the past 15 months to allow the Games to go ahead.

Olympics&nbsp;was&nbsp;postponed last year as the virus took hold worldwide even as Japanese public opinion was split over holding the event&nbsp;with the virus sweeping the country.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in Japan amid a state of emergency, the head of the organising committee for the Tokyo Olympics Toshiro Muto said, "We can't predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases.

As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in Japan amid a state of emergency, the head of the organising committee for the Tokyo Olympics Toshiro Muto said, "We can't predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases." Muto said he does not rule out last-minute cancellation of the mega event stating that discussions will continue "if there is a spike in cases". "We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again. At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises," Muto stated. Meanwhile, the head of the Japanese Olympic committee COVID-19 chief Michiko Dohi said that she does not rule out concerns while emphasising that as long as there are proper measures against the virus, the athletes can go ahead "without too many worries". Coronavirus cases have already clouded the Games ahead of Friday's grand ceremony as female US gymnast Kara Eaker tested positive for coronavirus at an Olympic training camp in Japan which was the fourth case of the virus in Tokyo's Olympic Village. Czech beach volleyball player Ondrej Perusic had earlier tested positive with the South African men's football team sent in isolation after being named as close contacts even though they have their opening match on Thursday against Japan. According to Olympic rules, athletes will be tested daily as officials said 85 per cent of the athletes and teams at Games Village will be vaccinated. There will be at least 7,000 medical staff including doctors and nurses at the venue. Amid the coronavirus crisis sweeping the Games, Olympics chief Thomas Bach conceded that he spent "sleepless nights" in the past 15 months to allow the Games to go ahead. Olympics was postponed last year as the virus took hold worldwide even as Japanese public opinion was split over holding the event with the virus sweeping the country. (With inputs from Agencies)

Amid coronavirus crisis, Tokyo 2020 chief does not rule out cancellation of Olympics

The women's marathon at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/water-bacteria-cancels-tokyo-2020-paratriathlon-test-swim-243604">Tokyo 2020</a> Olympics and all the race walks have been rescheduled, following the controversial decision taken in October to move the events out of the capital 800 kilometres north to the city of Sapporo.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-eight-months-from-tokyo-2020-venue-preparations-enter-final-stretch-263688">Tokyo 2020</a> organisers announced the rescheduling on Wednesday, following discussions with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-recieves-a-four-year-olympic-ban-266130">International Olympic Committee </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-athletics-championships-bolt-pulls-up-injured-in-final-race-of-his-career-397">World Athletics</a>, to ease the burden on National Olympic Committees and athletes travelling to northern Japan.

It now means that all the marathon and race walk events are scheduled to be held on four consecutive days, from August 6 to 9, with the men's marathon remaining on the final day of the Games, as per tradition.

"Athletes’ health and well-being are always at the heart of our concerns, and the decision to move the marathon and race walk events to Sapporo shows how seriously we take such concerns," the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission chair, Kirsty Coventry, said in a statement.

Both marathons will start at 7.00 am local time. The women's marathon was initially set for August&nbsp;2.

The IOC stunned Games organisers in October by announcing the marathon, one of the most prestigious events at any Olympics and one especially beloved in Japan, would be moved to the northern Japanese city of Sapporo to avoid the worst of Tokyo's summer heat.

Tokyo temperatures in July and August, when the city will host the Games, regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity adding to the discomfort.

Additionally, organisers wanted to make travelling to Sapporo as easy as possible for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nocs-confident-tokyo-2020-can-overcome-heat-water-quality-issues-244462">National Olympics Committees</a> (NOCs).

"There are some countries with the same person (coaches and officials) taking charge of both marathon and race-walking, or the same person taking charge of both male and female events," explained Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto on Wednesday.

"They (would) have to go back and forth (if marathon and race-walking are held in the separate schedule) and it produces extra costs.

"So there was a request to make the schedule as consecutive as possible."

The October decision did not go down well with organisers, who had already done extensive planning for the events, including a series of cooling measures for the athletes, nor with the Tokyo governor, who reluctantly consented to the move.

When Tokyo hosted the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/2020-olympic-games-can-be-springboard-to-transform-tokyo-198067"> Summer Olympics</a> in 1964, they were held in October an option no longer possible due to international sports schedules. Next year's Games run from July 24 to August&nbsp;9.

The women's marathon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and all the race walks have been rescheduled, following the controversial decision taken in October to move the events out of the capital 800 kilometres north to the city of Sapporo.

The women's marathon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and all the race walks have been rescheduled, following the controversial decision taken in October to move the events out of the capital 800 kilometres north to the city of Sapporo. Tokyo 2020 organisers announced the rescheduling on Wednesday, following discussions with the International Olympic Committee and World Athletics, to ease the burden on National Olympic Committees and athletes travelling to northern Japan. It now means that all the marathon and race walk events are scheduled to be held on four consecutive days, from August 6 to 9, with the men's marathon remaining on the final day of the Games, as per tradition. "Athletes’ health and well-being are always at the heart of our concerns, and the decision to move the marathon and race walk events to Sapporo shows how seriously we take such concerns," the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission chair, Kirsty Coventry, said in a statement. Both marathons will start at 7.00 am local time. The women's marathon was initially set for August 2. The IOC stunned Games organisers in October by announcing the marathon, one of the most prestigious events at any Olympics and one especially beloved in Japan, would be moved to the northern Japanese city of Sapporo to avoid the worst of Tokyo's summer heat. Tokyo temperatures in July and August, when the city will host the Games, regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity adding to the discomfort. Additionally, organisers wanted to make travelling to Sapporo as easy as possible for National Olympics Committees (NOCs). "There are some countries with the same person (coaches and officials) taking charge of both marathon and race-walking, or the same person taking charge of both male and female events," explained Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto on Wednesday. "They (would) have to go back and forth (if marathon and race-walking are held in the separate schedule) and it produces extra costs. "So there was a request to make the schedule as consecutive as possible." The October decision did not go down well with organisers, who had already done extensive planning for the events, including a series of cooling measures for the athletes, nor with the Tokyo governor, who reluctantly consented to the move. When Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964, they were held in October an option no longer possible due to international sports schedules. Next year's Games run from July 24 to August 9.

Tokyo 2020 marathon, race walk events rescheduled after Sapporo move

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Tokyo Olympics: 18 more Games-related COVID-19 cases reported, total at 259

Amid coronavirus crisis, Tokyo 2020 chief does not rule out cancellation of Olympics

Tokyo 2020 marathon, race walk events rescheduled after Sapporo move