By ReutersPublished: 00:39 EDT, 25 July 2021 | Updated: 00:40 EDT, 25 July 2021The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday that masks are a 'must have' at Tokyo medal ceremonies after swimmers were seen taking off masks on the medal podium and hugging other competitors in violation of COVID-19 rules. Masks are mandatory across all Olympic venues, both inside and outside for all athletes, staff and media, as part of Games organisers' strict measures to combat the coronavirus. It's a must to have,' said IOC spokesman Mark Adams, responding to questions about the mask-less swimmers. A little later all 12 athletes from Australia, Canada and the United States on the podium for the women's 4X100 freestyle relay ceremony were mask-less, hugging teammates and smiling to photographers. 'We understand there's a lot of excitement and of course when you win a medal, we feel for the athletes,' Adams said.

Source: The Nation July 25, 2021 05:00 UTC