Games committee to set spectator cap in June

A spectator cap for Tokyo Olympic events will be set in June based on coronavirus guidelines for sporting events in Japan in the month, according to the Games organizing committee.

The central government, Tokyo metropolitan government, International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games reached the agreement in an online meeting on April 28.

The organizing committee had planned to set a spectator cap in April but the decision was postponed due to the rising number of virus variant cases and the declaration of a state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas.

“We are prepared to accept the idea of having no spectators, but if the situation allows, we would like many people to attend events,” said Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee. “We will have to decide on no spectators if [allowing spectators] is expected to have a negative impact on the medical system.”

She added, “I understand that a full-stadium situation is highly unlikely at this stage.”

At the meeting, an agreement was also reached on the second edition of the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks, guidelines to prevent athletes and others from being infected with the novel coronavirus. The guidelines have become stricter. For example, the frequency of testing for athletes and others was changed from “at least once every four days” to “every day in principle.” (April 30)

The Yomiuri Shimbun Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, participates in an online meeting in Tokyo on April 28. IOC President Thomas Bach is seen on a monitor.