Heberle made the comments while providing an update on Olympic preparations during a "Tokyo Ready" media briefing, and they come at a time when certain athletes across the world have found themselves unable to compete because they have flouted regulations. 

She claimed members of Team Ireland would have to show "high personal responsibility" to ensure that Tokyo 2020 took place safely. 

"In respect to Team Ireland, and where we need to be and what we stand for right now, the last six weeks have been incredibly challenging," Heberle said.

"The key thing has been leadership - we need to continue to lead at all levels and across all areas. 

"Leadership is never just about the Chef de Mission - we have a subgroup of executive leaders.

"We stay very connected and we are continuing to messages around teamwork, shared leadership, and people standing up to be accountable at all times.

"It is going to be very important that there is a strong understanding of the need to keep people safe and to work to the countermeasures in every single environment, with a high personal responsibility for making sure that happens.

"It is not just about what the Organising Committee ask us to do when we are in the village, but it is about what we do every day, and a high sense of taking responsibility."

The Olympics were postponed to 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with competition now scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8. 

Organisers are now preparing for the Games against the backdrop of a global pandemic.

A coronavirus countermeasures taskforce, formed of officials from the Japanese Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo 2020, has been meeting regularly to devise policies to ensure the safety of participants. 

Most recently, the panel decided to establish a "health base" at the Athletes' Village in case of potential COVID-19 infection.

Heberle revealed she thought athletes would be able to learn the level of responsibility needed through attending sporting events that are taking place during the pandemic.

Competitions such as the Tour de France and the US Open tennis have been held successfully in recent months, albeit with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. 

"I am very confident of what our sports have actually experienced, and what the athletes have gone through and are currently going through, especially now they are starting to travel," Heberle said. 

"I think we are going to be in a very strong position, and I have no doubt, people will actually understand the responsibilities they will have coming into the Games."

Tokyo 2020 is set to be Ireland's 22nd appearance at a Summer Olympic Games. 

The country has earned nine gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze Olympic medals in total. 

At Rio 2016, Ireland claimed two silver medals, with rowers Gary O'Donovan and Paul O'Donovan finishing second in the men's lightweight double sculls and Annalise Murphy doing the same in the women's laser radial. 

Heberle, a former Australian Olympic hockey player, was named Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 in December 2018.