Olympic sports are now turning to bubbles in an effort to ensure the Tokyo Games go off without a hitch in July. A test was held this past weekend in Japan called the “Friendship and Solidarity Competition.”
China, Russia, Japan and the U.S. had 32 gymnasts compete in front of 2,000 spectators after stringent COVID-19 testing. A similar set up with 437 athletes and coaches is in progress for the International Swimming League in Budapest, Hungary.
Replicating similar bubbles next summer could be crucial to keep more than 11,000 athletes healthy at what’s already the most expensive Olympics ever. Japan is spending at least $12.6 billion on the games, with the postponement costing up to another $3 billion.