In preparation for the Paris Gameswe couldn’t escape how “normal” it all was supposed to be: media outlets heralded the return of cheering spectators in place of empty stadiums, a bustling opening ceremony with hundreds of thousands of fans, the arrival of friends and family to help athletes celebrate big wins (and process tough losses) — and not a mask in sight.

Overall, as the Associated press wrote in early July that the Paris Games would mark a return to “normal” “post-pandemic,” after “a period in which host cities became closed shells of themselves, depriving those who had earned their place within the so-called Olympic ‘bubble’ of a true Olympic experience.”

But as we’re learning as the 2024 Summer Olympics roll around, bursting that bubble may have been more than a little premature — and athletes may be the ones paying the price.

To be clear, the lack of spectators, family support, and the ability to connect with others hasn’t been easy for the athletes. As fencer Kat Holmes told SELF, the atmosphere was “very restrictive”. “In Rio, it was like, ‘We’re here together, let’s get to know each other,’” she said. “In Tokyo, it was like, ‘Oh my God, don’t breathe on me.’” So we totally understand the desire to avoid that — it’s just that, unfortunately, COVID didn’t get the memo.

The strict rules of Tokyo and Beijing were not exactly applied in Paris.

In Tokyo, the rules for athletes they were strict, so much so that the term “privacy ban” continued to be used. The reason for “safety first” policies, according to a 70-page report pick up line book The 2020 Games, released a month before the 2020 Games (which actually took place in 2021), were intended to protect all athletes, participants, and the people of Japan from the spread of COVID-19. As such, it detailed policies including wearing a mask “at all times” (except when sleeping, eating or drinking, training, or competing); avoiding the “3 C’s” (confined, crowded, or close-contact spaces); getting tested regularly for COVID-19, regardless of whether you are symptomatic or not; and isolating yourself if you test positive, among others.