Tokyo organizers banish six people from Olympics

Tokyo Olympics organizers said Sunday that they have banished six people, including two silver medalists, from the games for breaking rules designed to prevent COVID-19.

Toshiro Muto, the games chief executive, said the two Georgian judokas who took a sight-seeing trip were in serious violation of the so-called playbook of health and safety rules.

Vazha Margvelashvili and Lasha Shavdatuashvili were seen near Tokyo Tower on Tuesday, after their events were finished.

Tokyo organizers did not confirm media reports of the Georgians' prohibited trip outside the Olympic Village when first asked on Wednesday.

Muto said the Georgian embassy in Tokyo apologized for the incident.

In another incident reported before the Olympic Games opened, four accredited contractors from Britain and the United States were arrested for allegedly using cocaine.

Muto said there have been eight cases of temporary credential suspension.

In four cases organizers collected a "signed pledge" from people suspected of breaking rules and 10 "strict warnings" were issued, Muto said.