Tokyo will allow upto10,000 fans into Olympics venues

A joint statement from Tokyo 2020’s organisers and the International Olympic Committee on Monday said that ‘In light of the government’s restrictions on public events, the spectator limit for the Olympic Games will be set at 50 percent of venue capacity, up to a maximum of 10,000 people in all venues.’ A decision on spectators at the Paralympics has been delayed for another month, while organisers say the verdict on fan attendance could be reversed if Japan’s Covid situation deteriorates between now and the start of the Games.

‘If there should be major dramatic change in the infection situation, we may need to revisit this matter amongst ourselves and we may need to consider the option of having no spectators in the venues,’ said Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. Despite the release of a report last week by Japanese medical experts recommending the Games be held without spectators, described as the ‘least risky’ option, Olympic organisers feel the staging of other sporting tournaments has shown the Games can be delivered safely. The Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 23, though there are preliminary football matches starting two days before that, while the Paralympics is scheduled for a month later, on August 24.