Journey To Japan: COVID-19 Testing, Protocols & Checkpoints For Athletes, Media
Jul 21, 2021, 12:09 PM | Updated: 12:21 pm
TOKYO — The KSL Olympic Team has arrived in Japan, and what a journey it was to get there for everyone.
The journey to Tokyo started with a familiar sight – COVID-19 tests. One 96 hours prior to departure, then another at 72 hours.
With negative results, the team headed to the Salt Lake City International Airport on July 16 – that 4 a.m. arrival time was a bit of a struggle for some.
Tokyo here we come! #ksltv #Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/gt7Z1kqzGN
— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) July 16, 2021
After a quick stop in Seattle, they were off on a 10-hour flight to Japan.
And they agreed – it went by pretty fast.
After several checkpoints, our @KSL5TV team is now waiting at the Haneda Airport for the results of another Covid test. #ksltv @kslsports @KSLSharaPark @JJSportsBeat pic.twitter.com/oZhp5R69Pg
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 17, 2021
Once on the ground, the COVID-19 protocols continued – paperwork, certified test results and another COVID-19 test.
Everything had to be perfect – and negative – for the team to move on – and it was.
Tokyo is beautiful! Lots of trees, water, and little city parks everywhere. It’s also eerily empty. Tokyo is in another state of emergency because of Covid. Hard to believe millions of people live here. We’re also quarantined for 14 days to our hotel room and work area. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/nUVbkvFFHr
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 18, 2021
Once on the bus, they headed to the hotel. Right away, they noticed the streets are pretty empty here in Japan. Tokyo is currently under a state of emergency due to the pandemic that lasts through the end of the Games.
At the hotel – a quick temperature check and then off to their rooms.
This is insane! This is a look inside the International Broadcast Center, this is the brain of the Olympics. Everything you see and hear goes through here. The number of feeds being monitored all day long is 🤯. @KSL5TV @kslsports #ksltv #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/6E3VoxdkUM
— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) July 19, 2021
KSL’s Shara Park, Alex Cabrero & Jerimiah Jensen are in the middle of a 14-day quarantine, and they’re only allowed to move between the hotel, International Broadcast Center and NBC workspace at the Hilton Odaiba Hotel.
But even though they aren’t allowed to use public transportation or head out into the streets, they’ve been able to gather stories and work with media partners and come up with some fun stories to tell.
I’m not kidding when I say these guys aren’t used to being up this late, check out @KSL_AlexCabrero 😂. In our defense our body clocks are so off, we’re 15 hours ahead here in Tokyo. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/DUmcJPXlhT
— Shara Park (@KSLSharaPark) July 21, 2021
Over 11,000 athletes will compete in 339 events at 42 venues over the next two-and-a-half weeks.
Organizers have spent $6.7 billion on the Tokyo Games — everything from renovating venues to supplies needed to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.
Our @KSL5TV @kslsports team is getting ready to do Tokyo Olympics liveshots for our morning show. The view at night is beautiful! #ksltv #kslolympics pic.twitter.com/fGmRZ543BM
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 21, 2021
Safety is one of the biggest components of these games — COVID-19 cases have already popped up among athletes.
Our days are filled with Covid tests and temperature checks, we are trying our best to stay safe and make sure the games can go on! #TokyoOlympics #staysafe #olympics #behindthescenes #media @KSL5TV @kslsports pic.twitter.com/ZncMhrjgL1
— Aubrey Shafer (@RLaubservations) July 21, 2021
On Wednesday, KSL learned Utah’s Jake Gibb is out of a partner for beach volleyball after Taylor Crabb tested positive for the virus, and University of Utah gymnast Kara Eaker, an alternate for Team USA, tested positive earlier this week and is now in isolation.
