Tokyo's turbulent countdown

His team has created the first "playbook" with COVID countermeasures, including rules banning visits to shops and restaurants. If visiting athletes break protocol, it could result in them being barred from competing.

But Nakamura pledged to overcome the challenges as "one team "and told Reuters it was "important to show what we have now, receive feedback, and finalize the playbook step by step, not to have these discussions behind closed doors".

The next update to the rules is expected this month, he said.