Lausanne (AFP)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on Friday to make "a considerable reduction" in its guest program for the Tokyo Olympics (23 July-8 August) in order to comply with the demands of the Japanese organizers who decided the week last to exclude spectators coming from abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"In order to comply with the conclusions and requests of its Japanese partners, the IOC Executive Board decided (Friday) to grant accreditation only to persons who occupy essential and operational functions," said the body. in a press release.
The IOC's decision concerns "a number of programs, including the IOC guest program and invitations to legendary Olympic athletes".
"In addition, no accreditation will be granted to accompanying persons, regardless of the category of accreditation," added the IOC.
The objective for the IOC is in particular to prevent the multiplication of invitations, via partners and sponsors, from ending up bypassing the Japanese decision not to welcome foreign spectators.
The press release states that "the members of the IOC, as the ultimate decision-making body of the IOC, perform such functions (essential and operational) and will attend the Games".
For the first time in Olympic history, there will be no spectators coming from abroad during the Tokyo Olympics which were rescheduled this summer, after their postponement of one year.
./jr/bpa
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