Olympic-bound athletes are to be allowed to use sports facilities in Greece due to easing restrictions ©Getty Images

Greece has announced a phased reopening of sports facilities across the country for athletes who are due to compete in international competitions over the coming months, including the Olympics and Paralympics, due to the slowing COVID-19 cases.

The Government confirmed that training for these athletes competing from May to September could start on Monday (May 10).

Having hit a peak of over 4,300 COVID-19 cases on March 30, the latest daily rate was more than 3,100 yesterday, with cases largely decreasing over the past month, albeit not at a rapid rate.

Authorities are also allowing the use of pools for athletes and vaccinated members of the public, as well as horse racing with live crowds, according to Greek Reporter.

Over 12 per cent of Greeks have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 ©Getty Images
Over 12 per cent of Greeks have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 ©Getty Images

Deputy Minister for Culture and Sports Lefteris Avgenakis, said that Monday was the start of easing of restrictions for sports facilities, and added that activities had been classified as low, moderate and high risk.

The Greek General Secretariat of Sport sent charts for the three risk levels to the National Federations, showing limits on the number of athletes allowed in each venue indoors and outdoors.

Greece reported 52 new deaths yesterday, down from 81 deaths on Tuesday May 4.

To date, there has been a total of 367,076 cases of COVID-19 in Greece, resulting in the deaths of 11,141 people.