A meeting was held on the 20th between the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the IOC, and the IPC, and it was decided to abandon the acceptance of spectators from overseas for this summer's Tokyo Games. It was.

However, the extent to which sponsors' invited guests and related parties will be allowed to enter the country will be adjusted in the future, and will be the focus of the future as well as the maximum number of spectators.

At a meeting of five parties including the IOC and the Organizing Committee held on the 20th, it was decided to abandon the acceptance of spectators from overseas because it is difficult to guarantee free entry into Japan under the current circumstances.



According to the Organizing Committee, the total number of tickets sold overseas is about 630,000 for the Olympics and Paralympics, and refund procedures will be taken in the future.



On the other hand, regarding the audience invited by the sponsor, the Organizing Committee has stated that "if you are involved in the Games, there is a possibility that you can enter", and it is expected that adjustments will be made in the future to determine how much entry will be permitted together with the parties concerned.



In addition, we will reconfirm the direction of the upper limit of the audience next month, and after that, we will flexibly respond according to the infection situation, which will be the focus of the future.



The Tokyo tournament, which was postponed for the first time in history, has become an unusual form of absence of spectators from overseas, and its significance as a festival where people from all over the world gather to think about sports and peace will be questioned again.

Expert "Remember that some people can't be seen"

Professor Keiko Kida of Chukyo University, who is familiar with the philosophy and history of the Olympics and Paralympics, said, "By giving up accepting spectators from overseas, the risk of spreading the infection will be reduced and the anxiety of the citizens will be alleviated." He showed some understanding of the decision.



On the other hand, "The Olympics and Paralympics are also an opportunity for diverse people to come and go in the city to learn about the size of the world and realize differences in culture and race. In the sense that it will be lost. It is certain that we will not be able to play the role of the Games as it is, and it is a part that we must think about in the future. However, since the idea of ​​the Games called "Earth Village" is not broken, it is experienced by those who cannot come to see it. I think it can also be used as an opportunity to develop technology that allows people to experience something like that, and to create a place for interaction on the Internet. "



On top of that, "There are many people who are disappointed with the audience who were supposed to come and the Japanese side who accepts it. With that as a trigger, whether you want to come to the Games or watch it on TV, the economy and society that can do it If we can accept this decision as an event to share the fact that there are people who are not in the situation, it would be like the original Olympics. "