The International Olympic Committee (IOC) “must urgently guarantee world-class Covid-19 protections” if this year’s Games are to be held safely, the World Players Association (WPA) says.

IOC protocols “lack the same rigour and resources” seen in professional team sports, says the WPA, which represents athletes globally.

Tokyo is set to host the Games, delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic.

But the city is under a state of emergency because of a rise in cases.

That