Tokyo Olympics to be held without spectators, confirms organising committee

In what comes as a setback for the organisers, and most importantly, the fans, the upcoming Tokyo Olympics would be held without spectators. The decision was taken on Thursday by Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa, while the rising COVID cases in the Japanese capital are deemed the reason.

Kyodo News reports that the decision was also approved by International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach, along with other relevant members of the organising committee. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that Tokyo would be placed in the fourth state of emergency during the entire tenure of the Olympics.

"It is extremely regrettable that the games will be staged in a very limited manner in the face of the spread of novel coronavirus infections. I am very sorry for ticket holders and local residents who were looking forward to the games," said organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto.

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Meanwhile, Bach stated, "We have shown this responsibility since the day of the postponement. And, we will also show it today, and we will support any measure which is necessary to have a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games for the Japanese people and all the participants."

Although it was previously believed that 50% of a capacity crowd would have been allowed inside the venue, with a maximum cap of 10,000 spectators per arena, it won't be the case anymore. Tokyo registered over 920 new cases of COVID on Wednesday, which is its most in a single day since mid-May.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

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