The arrest of foreign Olympic workers puts pressure on the Japanese government

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Four foreigners working at the Tokyo Olympics have been arrested for drug offenses after what local media reported was a night out in the Roppongi nightclub neighborhood.

The arrests destroyed a pact that said Tokyo would take the enormous risks of hosting an international event during a pandemic, and in return tens of thousands of visiting athletes, officials, media and support staff. follow the rules of Japan.

The incident will be reactivate the opposition to the games and they pile up more pressure on the Japanese government to resume after multiple reports of foreigners drinking in Tokyo without wearing masks.

Police said the men, who worked as electricians for the British company Aggreko, were tested and found to have taken cocaine. Aggreko is among the 81 corporate sponsors and supporters of a costly event estimated at $ 25 billion to host and raise more than $ 3 billion in sponsorship.

NHK, the Japanese state broadcaster, reported that police had tested all four drugs after they allegedly made a drunken attempt to enter an apartment building near the notorious bar neighborhood.

Despite attempts by the government to limit opening hours, Roppongi bar and karaoke operators said many had remained open since February.

Police named the men as Ray Dalton, 22, and Gustavo Mosqueda, 24, both of the United States, and British citizens John Lockwood, 46, and Anthony Kirk, 32.

In an indication of Japan’s fears that the Olympics could become a global oversight event, organizers decided last week that the entire two-week showcase would continue. without spectators.

He Olympic Village, which officially opened on Tuesday, has been refurbished as a “bubble” to isolate athletes from the general public and the triumphant final stages of the torch relay through Tokyo will no longer take place on the public road.

Even after reducing the number of attendees, Tokyo still expects 41,000 coaches, officials, media and other staff to travel from abroad, including some 5,800 contractors.

The arrests of the four men for an incident in early July came to light just 10 days before the opening ceremony of the Olympics which was initially postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Advances despite warnings from Japan’s top epidemiologist.

Aggreko said he was assisting police in their investigation and had suspended the four men. The company provides temporary generators for large events.

“Aggreko sincerely apologizes for the concern this has caused the public. . . athletes and the many thousands of people dedicated to the safe and successful conduct of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, ”he said.

Tokyo 2020 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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