Vaccines encouraged for Olympians but not compulsory

Coates, also president of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), said he expected the country's athletes to be vaccinated by June at "the latest".

He added the Japanese government were expected to make a decision on how many fans could attend the Tokyo Olympics by April.

Organizers hope to have spectators at the Games which have already been postponed from last year, though speculation remains that the event might be cancelled indefinitely.

Coates said officials had to make the Olympic athletes village and the venues "the safest place in Tokyo".