Tokyo Olympics 2021: doors closed to foreign spectators?
Could the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, as well as the Paralympics, really disallow foreign spectators? The answer is [...]
Le Tokyo Olympics 2021, as well as the Paralympics, may indeed not allow access to foreign viewers? The answer is very simple: yes. Nothing has been decided yet, and according to the disclosed information, a clear line will be drawn by the end of March.
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It is possible that in order to decrease the risks of virus spread try to implement a unique system of restrictions in the history of the event. The Olympics could turn into a home event, at least as far as the attending public is concerned. Doors closed to the rest of the world, athletes excluded.
Fans will have to be content to follow along from their couches at home. A choice that, if confirmed, will prove to have a huge impact on the tourism sector as well. Japan would effectively go and cancel hundreds of thousands of travel plans.
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This is what emerged from a video conference between the organizing committee of Tokyo 2021, the Japanese government, the metropolitan government, the International Olympic Committee and the Paralympic Committee. Seiko Hashimoto, chairman of Tokyo 2021, said he was in favor of a public presence, albeit in a reduced form. He did not, however, comment on opening up to the rest of the world, a topic that will continue to be discussed, setting a target date of March 25, 2021. Not just any day, being the one set for the start of the Olympic flashlight's journey.
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Anti-Covid measures
If the decision on audiences is made by the end of March, the Tokyo 2021 organizers are taking until the April deadline regarding guaranteed capacity inside stadiums, arenas and outdoor venus. Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, explained how it all revolves around anti-covid measures. The goal is to protect athletes, members of the various staffs and the local population. Words, his, that do not bode well for the many foreign fans.
Lo state of emergency in Tokyo will continue until March 7, 2021. A decisive decision by the government, which had to cope with the increasing cases. However, statistics have improved over the past few weeks, which will lead to an easing of restrictions.
There is nothing certain about the Olympics, public front, yet so many have already taken steps to purchase a ticket. They would be sold, in fact about 4.5 million tickets for the Olympics and just under a million for the Paralympics.
The journey of the Olympic flashlight
On March 25, as mentioned above, the long journey of the Olympic flashlight, which will travel the length and breadth of Japan, will begin. The starting point will be the soccer training center J-Village, in Fukushima.
A course that will end on July 23 at the National Stadium in Tokyo, so as to officially launch the opening ceremony of the Olympics. It will be an intense journey, involving as many as 47 prefectures, with a total commitment of 121 days. No information is yet available regarding the names of the torchbearers. According to the Organizing Committee's explanation, those chosen will be alerted about two weeks in advance. In no way, however, will they be allowed to reveal details to other people. The secrecy is due to the need to avoid dangerous gatherings. Room for spectators in the street, as long as they remain cordoned off in designated areas and wear masks.
