The Tokyo Olympics 2020 will take place without fans for the entire duration as the country battles a new wave of the coronavirus.
Follow Us
It is official. There will be no fans in the venues of the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Japan is battling a resurgence in coronavirus cases. In the last 24 hours, there have been 2200 cases in the country. With Tokyo declaring a state of medical emergency until the end of August, it was only a matter of time. On Thursday, the organizers of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 announced that no fans will be allowed in any of the venues. The ban on foreign fans was implemented many months ago.
Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC who is currently in Tokyo, has expressed regret that no fans would be allowed. Speaking via a video message to all the athletes, Bach announced, “We regret the consequences for the athletes but also for the spectators. But, it was a decision that was made in order to conduct a safe Olympics. I hope that we all agree that the most important thing is that the Olympics is happening,” Bach said.
The Tokyo Olympics 2020 was seen as an event that displayed the recovery for the country in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2011. The 9.1 Richter scale earthquake resulted in the death of thousands, with the Fukushima Nuclear plant sustaining massive damage.
With no fans present at the venues, organisers are braced for losses of hundreds of millions of dollars. Initially, there was a suggestion that the maximum attendance at the venues would be capped at 10,000. But, with Japan battling a new wave and with vaccination sluggish, the decision was made to play the Olympic Games behind closed doors. The organisers are hoping that the broadcasting of the games in Japan and the USA will help overcome the losses.
Public opinion in Japan is also mixed. In a recent media survey, 34 percent wanted the games to be canceled or postponed. About 35 percent of the people wanted to fans attending the games. There is still tremendous concern about the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
The IOC has said the Games would be broadcast globally to a potential audience of about 5 billion. The number of broadcast partners for Tokyo Olympics 2020 is the highest than any previous Olympic games.
“We can look forward to a great Olympics under very special circumstances. Tokyo is ready, the venues are marvelous. The athletes can come and concentrate on what the games are for. These are for the Olympic competitions,” Bach added.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also announced that Tokyo would be under a virus emergency from July 12 until August 22. The measure is significantly looser than lockdowns seen elsewhere. It is largely limiting alcohol sales, shortening opening hours for restaurants and capping event attendances at 5,000 people. A decision on spectators at the Paralympic Games, which open on August 24, will not be taken until after the Olympics end, organisers said. The ban comes after Suga announced the new emergency measures, which he said would not interfere with holding the Games.
