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08 July 2021The Tokyo Olympics will be held without fans. The decision was made after the declaration of a state of emergency for the coronavirus, a period that covers the period of the Games.
This was stated by local organizers after meetings with the International Olympic Committee.
Japan had long banned foreign fans, but hoped to allow attendance of up to 50% capacity with domestic viewers.
"We had no other choice," said the head of the local organization, Seiko Hashimoto.
IOC president Thomas Bach arrived in Japan just today, but shortly after the Japanese government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the measure in response to the growing number of infections.
The competitions of the Games will therefore take place, from 23 July to 8 August, behind closed doors.
The measure will probably also cover the three surrounding prefectures, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama. The decision was made by the governing council composed of the president of the international Olympic committee Thomas Bach, the president of the organizing committee Seiko Hashimoto and the governor Yuriko Koike, together with the minister for sport Tamayo Marukawa.