Holding the Tokyo Olympic Games at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is resurgent amid new variants would seem ill-advised. But as the first cases among entourages are confirmed, Japanese and International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials are adamant the event – starting on Friday – will go ahead and promise that protective measures will prevent outbreaks. More than 11,000 athletes from 205 countries and regions are readying to vie for medals without spectators to cheer them on and a global television and online audience of billions, weary of lockdowns, are preparing for binge viewing. This is a chance in a lifetime for the competitors who have trained so hard under difficult conditions and a test for officials to ensure the reputation of the world’s most important sporting event is not harmed by excessive optimism or insufficient preparedness. Coronavirus infections and deaths are on the rise in Japan and a state of emergency is in place in Tokyo until after the Summer and Paralympic Games end on August 22. The surge is also occurring in many other parts of the world, sparking fears delegation members may carry it, spread it to other teams or take it home. But that has not dampened the competitive spirit of athletes. China, the host of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, is sending its biggest delegation with hopes of winning a record medal haul and continue its drive to be a sporting power by 2035. The 46-strong Hong Kong team will for the second time comprise more women than men and has at least four medal prospects. The Games were supposed to be held last July, but the coronavirus forced a postponement. A fourth wave of the disease in Japan has created worse conditions than a year ago, but organisers have assured there will be no risks; IOC president Thomas Bach has said 85 per cent of Olympic Village residents and almost all officials and staff are vaccinated. Covid-19 cases rise despite Games pledge of 85 per cent vaccination rate Safety measures also mean these will be a Games like none before, with social-distancing rules, daily Covid-19 testing, hugs and high-fives banned, and winners being required to collect medals from trays and put them around their own necks. But increasing numbers of athletes, team members and Games workers are being confirmed as having been infected, the highest-profile among them to so far announce a withdrawal from competition being American tennis star Coco Gauff. Dozens of people are already in isolation. Tokyo previously held the Games in 1964 in an era of optimism. But opinion polls have shown a majority of Japanese this time oppose the event going ahead and medical experts warn of risks. For all the enthusiasm of athletes, officials have to be ready to step in with strong measures and resolve should outbreaks occur. There is too much at stake for the Olympic spirit and image and global health.