Tokyo (AFP)
Because of the coronavirus, the organizers of the Tokyo Olympic Games decided on Tuesday to reduce the scope of the festivities surrounding the Olympic Torch Relay in Japan, which is scheduled to start on March 26.
The "big departure" of the relay from the Fukushima region (northeast) will be without spectators, "to avoid spreading infections", announced to the press the executive director of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, Toshiro Muto .
The route through all regions of Japan remains unchanged and spectators will be able to attend the relay along the route. But the start and finish ceremonies at each stage will be closed to the public, the organizers said in a statement.
The welcoming ceremonies by the municipalities will be canceled.
The organizers also ask any spectator who is not feeling well not to watch the relay from the side of the road.
The temperature of the torchbearers will be measured and those with fever will be prevented from running.
These decisions come against a background of growing doubts about whether to keep the Tokyo Olympics this summer, when a number of sporting competitions have been canceled around the world, as well as qualifying events for the Games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
© 2020 AFP