Olympics bans spectators after Tokyo declares Covid-19 emergency
Prime minister says Tokyo must be prevented from becoming the source of another wave of infections
08 July 2021 - 16:42
byEimi Yamamitsu
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Security officers in Tokyo, June 14 2021. Picture: REUTERS/ISSEI KATO
Tokyo — Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Thursday agreed to hold the Games without spectators, after Japan declared a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital that will run throughout the event.
The widely expected move followed talks between the government, Tokyo organisers and Olympic and paralympic representatives.
It was “regrettable” that the Games were going to be held in a limited format, Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto told a briefing, adding her apologies to those who had bought tickets.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it was essential to prevent Tokyo, where the infectious Delta Covid-19 variant was spreading, from becoming the source of another wave of infections.
The ban all but robs the Tokyo Games, scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, of their last hope for pomp and public spectacle.
Once seen as a chance for Japan to stand large on the global stage after a devastating earthquake a decade ago, the showpiece event was delayed by the pandemic in 2020 and has been hit by huge budget overruns.
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.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Olympics bans spectators after Tokyo declares Covid-19 emergency
Prime minister says Tokyo must be prevented from becoming the source of another wave of infections
Tokyo — Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Thursday agreed to hold the Games without spectators, after Japan declared a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital that will run throughout the event.
The widely expected move followed talks between the government, Tokyo organisers and Olympic and paralympic representatives.
It was “regrettable” that the Games were going to be held in a limited format, Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto told a briefing, adding her apologies to those who had bought tickets.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it was essential to prevent Tokyo, where the infectious Delta Covid-19 variant was spreading, from becoming the source of another wave of infections.
The ban all but robs the Tokyo Games, scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, of their last hope for pomp and public spectacle.
Once seen as a chance for Japan to stand large on the global stage after a devastating earthquake a decade ago, the showpiece event was delayed by the pandemic in 2020 and has been hit by huge budget overruns.
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.
Reuters
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