Unusual Olympics: What makes Tokyo 2020 different

Athletes forbidden from engaging in some typical habits

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some of the athletes' typical habits will be forbidden. For example, Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, said during an interview that players will not be allowed to touch the tables by hand or towel, or blow on the balls. These behaviors are subconscious habits for table tennis players during matches.

Liu Shiwen, Chinese table tennis player, admitted it was hard to adapt to the new rules at the beginning, but she has to follow them since they are implemented during Tokyo 2020.