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Tokyo 2020

Tokyo Olympics will be held without spectators amid COVID emergency

The organisers of the Tokyo Olympics declared on Thursday that it will be held without spectators fans because of the resurgent pandemic that has forced Japan to declare a coronavirus state of emergency.

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Tokyo Olympics

By

The Bridge Desk

Updated: 8 July 2021 2:21 PM GMT

The Tokyo Olympics will be held without the presence of spectators. The organisers of the Games declared on Thursday that it will be held without any fans because of the resurgent pandemic that has forced Japan to declare a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo.

The move is a sharp turnaround from what was discussed earlier that the Games would be conducted with a limited audience.

"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 organisers and Olympic and paralympic representatives.

"I am sorry to those who purchased tickets and everyone in local areas."

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it was essential to prevent the spread of the virus in Tokyo, where the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant has been found

With the ban on spectators, Tokyo Olympics will surely be missing out on the pomp and festivity.

Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators would be the least risky option, amid widespread public fears that an influx of thousands of athletes and officials will fuel a fresh wave of infections.


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