Olympic athletes told to stop hugging on podiums amid Covid fears in Tokyo but are allowed to remove masks

OLYMPIC athletes have been reminded NOT to hug each other on the podium during medal ceremonies.

Athletes have been reminded to keep their distance from their fellow competitors during the ceremonies, and masks must be worn at all times for both indoor and outdoor events.

The International Olympic Committee, however, allow a short 30 second window where athletes can remove their masks and pose for the cameras with their silverware.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams insists that following the rules is in the best "interests of everyone".

Adams said: "We would urge and ask everyone to obey the rules, whatever stakeholder you are.

"It is not a nice to have, it is a must have, both for the sports and for everyone involved.

"It sends a strong message so please follow the playbooks.

"We understand there is excitement and we feel for the athletes, but unfortunately we have had to make the rules stricter.

"These messages are constantly passed, not just to athletes. It is in our interests and the interests of everyone."

Silver medalist Rayssa Leal enjoyed a little hug with women's street skateboarding gold medalist Momiji Nishiya on the podium on Monday.

But such actions could be clamped down on with action being taken against athletes who flout the rules.

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The International Olympic Committee’s executive director of the Games, Christoph Dubi, said: "Every time we see someone without a mask, and that happens a little bit everywhere, it’s our duty, all of us, to say, ‘reminder, mask please’.

"And in most of the cases, people do simply forget.

"If you have blatant behaviours that are absolutely unbearable, we will definitely take action."

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