International Olympic Committee officials have hit back at claims the Tokyo Games have put significant added pressure on Japan's coronavirus-hit medical system.
Host city Tokyo had 3,865 new cases on Thursday, up from 3,177 on Wednesday, as it set a record high for a third straight day.
The surge in COVID-19 cases has added to concerns about the decision to stage the Games and its impact upon on Japan's health infrastructure.
Tokyo 2020 is taking place under unprecedented conditions, with fans unable to attend while athletes are subjected to strict testing to identify and isolate positive cases.
And IOC medical and scientific director Richard Budgett insisted these regulations inside the Olympic bubble had negated any significant impact.
"This is the most tested community anywhere in the world. The athletes in the Olympic Village really are living in a parallel world," Budgett said.
"As far as I’m aware, there has not been a single instance of an athlete case spreading to the local population, and not a single severe case has occurred among our stakeholders.
"There are two positive cases who are in hospital, but no severe cases at this stage.
"It is challenging for any country when there are rising cases, but I am confident the Olympics are being run without affecting that secondary care in hospital provision."
Kirsty Coventry, chair of the IOC athletes' commission, has responded to complaints from Dutch skateboarder Candy Jacobs that conditions at quarantine hotels are "inhuman".
Jacobs tested positive for COVID-19 and posted on Instagram about initially not being permitted to get fresh air during isolation because her hotel window did not open.
Coventry said: "We have been working very closely with TOCOG [the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games] about improving all those experiences [at] the quarantine centres and hotels.
"Candy and others have raised similar points. We have reached out to them and are working with them to make sure conditions are improved."
Djokovic clear to play US Open as Senate votes to lift COVID-19 restrictions
Novak Djokovic looks set to appear at the 2023 US Open after the United States Senate passed a bill to end COVID-19 restrictions.
The 22-time grand slam champion last competed in the tournament two years ago, losing to Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the final.
He missed the 2022 edition because he had not been vaccinated against coronavirus, with the USA making vaccines a requirement for international travellers arriving in the country from November 8, 2021.
Djokovic was also absent for the 2022 Australian Open as he was deported from the country after immigration officials cancelled his visa because of the Serbian's unvaccinated status.
He returned to Melbourne Park at the start of this year and won a 10th Australian Open title – he will be hoping for a similar impact at Flushing Meadows after his return moved a step closer to reality.
On Wednesday, the US Senate voted in favour of ending the COVID-19 national emergency declared in March 2020, meaning the bill is now set to be considered by President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign.
As such, Djokovic will – assuming he is not ruled out for other reasons – be able to compete at this year's tournament, which is due to begin on August 28.
The news will surely come as major boost to Djokovic, who has already been prevented from entering US-based tournaments in 2023.
The 35-year-old was denied clearance to enter the US earlier in March ahead of Indian Wells and the Miami Open, with his application for special permission turned down by officials.
Djokovic steadfast on vaccination decision despite losing world number one ranking
Novak Djokovic does not regret his decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, despite losing the world number one ranking.
Djokovic has spent a record 380 weeks at the top of the rankings but was unable to compete in the first two ATP 1000 events of the season – the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open – after his request for special permission to travel to the United States was declined.
The US currently bars unvaccinated travellers from entering the country, although that policy is set to be scrapped in May.
With the 22-time grand slam champion unable to feature, Carlos Alcaraz returned to the top of the rankings with victory at Indian Wells.
"I have no regrets," Djokovic told CNN.
"It's a pity that I wasn't able to play in Indian Wells [and] Miami. I love those tournaments. I had plenty of success there. But at the same time, it is the conscious decision I made and I knew that there was always a possibility that I wouldn't go.
"It is the current state or current situation that I hope will change later this year for the US Open. That is the most important tournament for me on American soil.
"I've learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past and I don't want to do that.
"I also don't want to live too much in the future. I want to be as much as in the present moment, but of course, think about the future and create a better future."
Alcaraz, who won the US Open in 2022, romped to last week's title at Indian Wells with a comprehensive 6-3 6-2 victory against Daniil Medvedev in the final.
"I congratulate Alcaraz," Djokovic said. "He absolutely deserves to come back to number one."
Djokovic's attention will now turn to the clay season in Europe as he gears up to try and win a third French Open title.
"I'm as enthusiastic as ever, as motivated as ever for the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I'm doing off the court," he added.
"The dignity, and integrity, and staying true to myself, and my beliefs and my rights are above everything."
Djokovic suffers Indian Wells blow due to COVID-19 vaccination status
Novak Djokovic will not feature at the Indian Wells Open.
It was confirmed by tournament organisers on Sunday that the world number one would miss the first Masters 1000 tournament of the season.
As he is not vaccinated against COVID-19, Djokovic had applied for special permission to enter the United States, but that has seemingly been denied.
Until at least April 10, international visitors to the US must have proof of vaccination.
Djokovic, a five-time winner at Indian Wells, is also set to miss the Miami Open later in March, while his participation in the US Open could be in doubt.
The 22-time grand slam champion – who reached the semi-finals at the Dubai Tennis Championships last week – missed last year's major at Flushing Meadows due to his vaccination status. He was, however, allowed to play in this season's Australian Open.
Nikoloz Basilashvili moved into the main field following Djokovic's withdrawal.
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