The British Olympic Association announced that six athletes and two staff members from the British track team are in self-isolation in Tokyo after being identified as close contacts of an individual who subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

According to a statement, the person who tested positive was not a member of the British delegation, but a close contact during the flight to Japan on Thursday.

The test results of the eight persons concerned at the airport were all negative, and they have been tested negative since then.

Members of Team GB's Olympic squad have been arriving in Tokyo over the course of the last week
Members of Team GB's Olympic squad have been arriving in Tokyo over the course of the last week (Picture: Getty)

The close contact was identified via Tokyo 2020's reporting service, with the BOA saying it was continuing to follow extensive testing protocols in line with advice from the Japanese government, IOC, and other authorities.

Team GB's Chef de Mission Mark England said: 'This is disappointing news for the athletes and staff, but we absolutely respect the protocols in place.

We will offer them every support during this period and we are hopeful that they will be able to resume training again soon.'

Meanwhile, two athletes have tested positive for the coronavirus in the Olympic Village after a team colleague was also infected, officials said Sunday, raising fears of a cluster just days before the opening ceremony.

The first cases involving athletes in the village come a day after a member of their entourage returned the first positive test in the complex