It has been decided that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will not accept spectators from overseas due to the unpredictable effects of the mutated new coronavirus.
It is the reaction of the players of each competition.
Badminton Kento Momota
Kento Momota, a Japanese ace of badminton men's singles who is expected to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, said, "Many overseas fans are very enthusiastic about cheering, so it's a real performance. And I'm lonely because there are parts that won't burn without such a person. "
On the other hand, he said, "If you can have a scene where you can be energized and impressed by seeing the game, rather than not holding the tournament, I would like you to hold the tournament." Showed an understanding of.
Momota, who has been ranked number one in the world for about two and a half years since September 2018, is known to have many overseas fans, not only in Japan but also in Asian countries where badminton is popular.
Sports Climbing Tomoa Narasaki
Tomoa Narasaki, who has been nominated for the Tokyo Olympics in sports climbing and is expected to win a gold medal, said, "I'm very sorry, but I've experienced various people watching through the Internet this season and last year's tournament. From there, I want to convey how I am doing my best and the fun of climbing. "
Sports Climbing Akiyo Noguchi
Akiyo Noguchi, who has been nominated for the Tokyo Olympics in sports climbing, said, "I want the full audience to see it as planned, so it's very lonely that the audience may not come from overseas. Instead, Japan I hope that the audience will be full. "
Tennis Novak Djokovic
Serbian Novak Djokovic, a professional tennis player who ranks first in the world, said, "I hope the spectators can enter the venue. That's why we have to face it firmly and accept it. "
He emphasized his desire to host the Olympics, saying, "The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in sports history, and athletes want to represent their country and celebrate the sport." ..
Softball Monica Abbott "I have a lot of ideas"
Pitcher Monica Abbott, who is the American representative of softball who won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has been unofficially decided to participate in the Tokyo Games, said, "The Olympics are a stage where fans are enthusiastic and supportive, so" At the stadium I want you to support me, "but I understand that it is a very difficult situation."
He added, "I think there are various ideas such as placing a fan panel in the audience seats and displaying the cheering on the screen even if you can't come to the stadium."
In addition, it has been decided that softball will not be held at the next Paris Games, and pitcher Abbott said, "Instead of the audience not coming, softball will play an interesting game at the Tokyo Games through TV broadcasting, live streaming, player SNS, etc. It's more important to show off what you're doing and what's growing in order to revive the Olympics. "
Parasports Keiichi Kimura "There is no choice but to accept"
Keiichi Kimura, a Japanese ace who has been appointed as the representative of the Tokyo Paralympics in the swimming and visually impaired classes, said, "It is the Paralympics that many people can see, and I think it was a big meaning to do it in my own country. I think it would be better if there was an audience, "he said.
On the other hand, "when we were digging into what we should value most as a person and what we should do in the current situation, the decision about the audience is the best at that time. I think it's a choice, so I have to accept it. We just do our best. "
Para-athletics Wakako Tsuchida "If it is held, I will do my best as a player"
Wakako Tsuchida, who has participated in the Paralympics seven times in summer and winter and is aiming to participate in athletics and triathlon at the Tokyo Games, said, "I think that the tournament will be held thanks to the people who work hard, so what kind of form? If it is held, I would like to challenge myself as a player. It is very lonely that the number of spectators will decrease, but I feel that many people are watching through the media even in this situation, so please send the tournament to the world. I want you to feel the charm of the Paralympics. "
Para-athletics Markus Rehm "Full respect for decisions"
Germany's Markus Rehm, who holds the world record for the para-athletics and long jump prosthesis class and is also known as the "blade jumper," said, "Every time I visit Japan, I am warmly welcomed and Japan is a wonderful host country. It's already been proven. It's very sad that no foreign spectators can come, but if we can play in Japan, we will fully respect the decision. What does this have to do with the spirit of the Paralympics and the Olympics? No, it's a pandemic issue, and even if we only see Japanese people at the stadium, I think we can express something for the realization of a society that respects diversity. " Was there.
Para Taekwondo Wataru Ota "I think safety comes first."
Shoko Ota (31), who won two medals at the Winter Paralympics and has been appointed as a representative in the Taekwondo women's class over 58 kg at the Tokyo Paralympics, said, "I want people from many countries to come, but it's still safe. I think it's the first. Recently, it has become possible to enjoy the tournament by live broadcasting online, so I hope that you will be able to respond flexibly. "
Para-athletics Atsushi Yamamoto "I want domestic spectators to enter as much as possible"
Atsushi Yamamoto (38), a silver medalist in the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics track and field, men's long jump, who has been appointed as the representative of the Tokyo Paralympics, said, "It's a pity that the families of overseas athletes will not be able to come to watch the game, but the first is safe and secure. I think that it is necessary to make difficult decisions to get a sense of security, but I would like the domestic spectators to enter as much as possible in order to improve the performance of the athletes. I was wondering if the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics would be held in such a situation. However, sports can give energy and courage to many people, so I want to show it as an athlete and make it a tournament that makes me happy to do it. "
Para-athletics Tomoshi Sato "If you include Japanese spectators, support them equally"
Tomoe Sato (31), who has been nominated as the representative of the Tokyo Paralympics in the Para-athletics and wheelchair classes and is expected to win the gold medal in the second event, said, "If Japanese spectators are to enter the Tokyo Paralympics, overseas players I want all the players who are doing their best to cheer me on. I also remember getting cheers at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and it helped me, so I want them to support players from various countries equally. I was talking.