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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Moxon

Winter Olympians face sex ban at Beijing 2022 amid host of anti-Covid measures

No partying, no sex and no avoiding a "hard" 21-day quarantine for those who have not been vaccinated.

That is what life is set to be like for Winter Olympians away from their events at Beijing 2022, with strict measures in place designed to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the Olympic village.

China hosts the games in February, and officials have moved quickly to specify that drinking and late-night activities will be actively discouraged among athletes and support staff.

They will have to wear a face covering, avoid crowded and enclosed spaces and practice social distancing while they are in Beijing.

A swathe of anti-Covid rules will be in place for athletes and support staff at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics (REUTERS)

Athletes will only be able to travel between venues in "dedicated vehicles" which will take them to "permitted destinations", meaning people will be unable to explore the Chinese capital while there for the Games.

Contact with the general public will not be allowed, while everyone will be subjected to daily throat swab testing to root out those who have the virus but have not displayed symptoms.

And those who have not been vaccinated will have to jump through extra hoops, as they must complete a 21-day quarantine programme in a hotel upon arriving in the country.

Meanwhile, unless they have been chosen to take part in the closing ceremony at the end of the Games, athletes will not be allowed to outstay their welcome and must leave China 48 hours after their last event finishes.

Fines, withdrawal of accreditation and even disqualification from competition are all punishments that could await anyone who breaks the rules.

The International Olympic Committee said the rules will be in place to protect everyone from the virus, and asked those who head to China in February to stay in line with all the measures.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will take place in February (REUTERS)

A statement from the IOC said: "This Playbook is the basis of the game plan to ensure that all Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games participants and the people of China stay safe and healthy for the Games.

"If you have been to the Games before, we know this experience will be different in a number of ways.

"But it will also provide the world’s most powerful display of unity – a joyful rendezvous on pure ice and snow, showcasing winter sport at its very best."

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