The Tokyo Olympics will be held without spectators, according to organizers, after a resurgent pandemic caused Japan to announce a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital, which will last throughout the competition.
Despite being widely predicted, the decision was a striking departure from organizers’ previous statements that the global sporting event would be held with a small number of spectators. find out more
“It is regrettable that we are delivering the Games in a very limited format, facing the spread of coronavirus infections,” Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said following talks between government officials, Tokyo organizers, and Olympic and paralympic representatives.
“I am sorry to those who purchased tickets and everyone in local areas.” read more
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated that preventing another wave of infections in Tokyo, where the extremely virulent Delta COVID-19 form was spreading, was critical.
The restriction effectively eliminates the Tokyo Games’ final hope for grandeur and public spectacle, which are set to take place from July 23 to August 8.
The flagship event, which was once considered as a chance for Japan to assert itself on the global stage following a devastating earthquake a decade ago, was postponed last year due to the epidemic and has been plagued by significant expense overruns. find out more
Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said organizers had agreed to stage the Games without spectators in Tokyo and to choose venues outside of the capital based on the local context.
Despite widespread public fears that an inflow of thousands of athletes and officials could feed a new wave of diseases, medical professionals have warned for weeks that having no spectators would be the least harmful choice.
Rocky Swift and Eimi Yamamitsu contributed additional reporting; Antoni Slodkowski and David Dolan wrote the story; and John Stonestreet edited it.
