BEVERLY HILLS, March 09, (THEWILL) – The Japanese government has decided to stage this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics without overseas spectators.
It arrived at this decision based on the overwhelming concerns of the Japanese public about COVID-19 infection coming into the country as a result, KYODO news agency reported on Tuesday, citing officials with knowledge of the decision.
A majority of the country’s citizens who have been asked have expressly remarked that they do not want international visitors to attend the Games. This is amid fears that a large influx of visitors from abroad could spark a resurgence of infections even as the country still grapples with its domestic infection count.
A public poll conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun, one of the five national newspapers in Japan, published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities, showed that 77% of respondents were against allowing foreign fans to attend, versus a mere 18% in favour.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto had said she wanted a decision on whether to let in overseas spectators before the start of the torch relay on March 25.
But, according to KYODO, the opening ceremony will also be held without spectators. Specifically quoting officials involved, the news agency reported:
“The organising committee has decided it is essential to hold the ceremony in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima behind closed doors, only permitting participants and invitees to take part in the event, to avoid large crowds forming amid the pandemic.”
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The Games of the XXXII Olympiad, which are set for July 23 to August 8, were postponed by a year in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, from their originally scheduled dates of 24 July to 9 August 2020 at a staggering cost of over $2.8 billion.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
