Foreign fans ‘could be BANNED from the Tokyo Olympics and overseas athletes, coaches, officials and media will AVOID quarantine but must provide a negative Covid-19 test’ under IOC plans which are set to be approved at the end of the month
- The Tokyo Olympics are set to be held without foreign fans this summer
- The final decision on overseas spectators is expected at the end of this month
- Japan’s government are behind the plans with fears over the spread of Covid-19
The Tokyo Olympics is set to be staged without overseas spectators, with final confirmation expected at the end of this month.
Japan’s government is behind plans to stop foreign fans coming to this summer’s Games because of concerns over the spread of coronavirus.
Organisers still hope some domestic supporters will be able to attend the Olympics. Talks are ongoing about how many may be allowed into venues and a decision on that is due to be made by next month.
The Tokyo Olympics is set to be staged without overseas spectators this summer
Japan’s government are concerned over the potential spread of coronavirus at the Games
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach held a meeting with Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto on Wednesday and hinted at a ban on spectators from abroad to protect the local population.
Bach said: ‘We are doing everything to ensure the safety of the Games for all participants, but also for the Japanese people and the population of Tokyo in particular.
‘We are standing at your side, you have our full commitment. It our interest as much as it is your interest, and it’s our common obligation to secure the safety for everybody.’
Organisers are still hopeful some domestic supporters will be able to attend the Olympics
IOC president Thomas Bach held a meeting with Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto on Wednesday
Overseas athletes, coaches, officials and media will not have to quarantine on arrival in Japan but will have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test and their movements will be restricted while in the country.
However, such restrictions would be difficult to implement for foreign fans and the Japanese government wants to focus on border controls to ensure the Games can go ahead.
Tokyo is still in a state of emergency due to the pandemic but those measures are expected to be lifted on Sunday after a fall in cases.