Ensuring 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries descend on one city over 16 days is a logistical challenge at the best of times. Now consider doing it during a pandemic that’s upended airlines’ flight schedules, closed international borders and made any movement without vaccinations and multiple COVID-19 tests impossible.
For hundreds of Olympic organizing officials eyeing the start of the Tokyo Games in just 18 days, it’s a major headache. Forget about medal tallies and post-race parties (to the limited extent they’re permitted at all), just getting to Japan on time is half the battle.
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