ROME – As Tokyo readies to welcome thousands of the world’s top athletes later this month for the Olympics, the local archbishop has announced that “regrettably” no Catholic parish will be able to welcome them due to the spread of COVID-19, as the Japanese city is once again in a state of emergency. The Olympic games, originally scheduled for 2020, will run July 23 to Aug. 8. Close to 10,000 athletes will compete in the international multi-sport event and several thousand more in the para-Olympic games, set to begin in Aug. 24. Though not every athlete speaks openly about their faith, there are several, including some from TeamUSA, who have referred to their Catholic faith as something they lean on, including one of the greatest female gymnasts of all times, Simone Biles, who two years ago broke the all-time record for most medals won by a gymnast at age 22. Such athletes, however, won’t be practicing that faith while they’re in Tokyo, at least in any facility run by the local church.
Olympic athletes to be barred from Tokyo churches due to Covid
Olympic athletes to be barred from Tokyo churches due to Covid
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