Tokyo organisers to decide on overseas spectators

A DECISION will be taken on whether overseas spectators will be able to attend the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games at the end of the month.

Organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto said she hoped to have reached a decision by March 25, by the time of the Olympic torch relay.

She added a decision on venue capacity limits will be taken at the end of April, using current domestic capacity limits as a base.

The Olympics are due to start on July 23, having been delayed by 12 months due to the pandemic.

Hashimoto said: “Regarding mutant strains (of coronavirus) that’s something we need to thoroughly think of.

“As long as there is anxiety we need to make sure safety and security is going to be maintained.

“This is a point that the Japanese government, the Tokyo metropolitan government and Tokyo 2020 will consider.

“It’s not about whether it’s difficult or not (to have overseas spectators), it’s whether it would link to the safety and security of the Games for Japanese citizens. That is the priority.

“They all want to watch the Games and safety and security needs to be maintained or it would be a burden on the mental aspect.”

Hashimoto said there had been no discussion on the Games taking place without any spectators, but added: “There are various circumstances we need to keep an eye on, zero spectators will be something we need to look into.

“We need to look at the overall situation before deciding on percentage rates.”