Tokyo Olympics: Ugandan became the first to test positive for Covid in Japan

A member of the Ugandan Olympic squad has became the first athlete to test positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Japan for the competition due to start on 23 July.

The event was postponed last year, but now will go ahead despite fresh wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan.

Uganda is also experiencing a surge in cases, which forced the government to tighten lockdown measures on Friday.

The Ugandan, who is part of nine-member squad to the Olympics was fully vaccinated, according to reports.

The group – which included boxers, coaches, and officials – tested negative before leaving Uganda.

However, one of them tested positive when they arrived Tokyo Narita airport on Saturday, and is currently quarantined at a government-designated facility, local media quote Japanese officials as saying.

The rest of the squad traveled by chartered bus to Osaka, in western Japan, where they will train ahead of the Games.

The Ugandans are the second group of foreign athletes to arrive for training ahead of the competition. Australia women softball squad arrived on 1 June.

Foreigners who want to travel to watch the Olympics are banned. On Monday they will take the decision on whether to allow domestic spectators.