ZCZC
BSP-03
OLY-2020-2021-HEALTH
Overseas fans likely to be barred from Tokyo Games: local media
TOKYO, March 4, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Overseas spectators are likely to be shut
out from the Tokyo Olympics, Japanese media reported Thursday, after
organisers said that public safety would be the “top priority” at the
coronavirus-delayed Games.
The Japanese government, Tokyo metropolitan government and Tokyo 2020
organising committee are leaning towards holding the massive event in front
of a domestic audience only, the Yomiuri Shimbun and other outlets said.
Officials fear that an influx of visitors from abroad will endanger the
Japanese public.
“As the spread of coronavirus continues in every country, they have
decided that allowing visitors from overseas on a large scale will only make
people anxious,” the Yomiuri report said.
The three parties met with International Olympic and Paralympic Committee
heads on Wednesday and agreed to take a decision on spectators by the end of
the month, ideally before the nationwide torch relay begins on March 25.
But comments made by organisers before and after the talks hinted that
overseas fans will be locked out, with games president Seiko Hashimoto saying
public safety is the “top priority”.
IOC chief Thomas Bach said organisers will “focus on the essentials of the
Games”, while Japan’s Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said “a cautious
decision is necessary”.
Reports said Japanese organisers will soon make their position official
and convey it to IOC and IPC chiefs.
Bach said last week that a decision on overseas fans would be taken in
late April or early May, but Hashimoto said Wednesday that fans, hotels and
travel operators needed to know sooner.
Around 900,000 tickets have reportedly already been sold outside Japan.
Organisers also said Wednesday that they will take a decision on the
number of spectators allowed in venues in April.
Hashimoto said “scientific insight” would be used to determine venue
capacities, and that the ruling would be in line with government policies on
attendance. Tokyo is currently under a Covid-19 state of emergency that
limits capacity at sporting events to 5,000.
The state of emergency is due to expire on Sunday, but Prime Minister
Yoshihide Suga has said an extension of around two weeks is necessary amid
concern over the slowing decline of infections in the capital.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1045 hrs