Man in mask standing near Olympic rings in Tokyo.Photo: BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty
Fans from overseas will reportedly likely not be permitted to attend theSummer Olympicsin Tokyo this year amid the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese outletMainichireported Wednesday that officials are moving toward a decision about spectators, namely fans traveling from abroad to see the event in person this summer, noting that the priority is the competitors.
Unspecified sources, according to the newspaper, were “involved in the discussions,” and officials will make a final decision “within the month.“Mainichialso quoted a “source close to the government” as saying, “In the current situation, it is impossible to bring in foreign spectators.”
“We will focus on the essentials,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said at a virtual meeting on Wednesday, according to theAssociated Press. “That means mainly the competitions. This has to be the clear focus. In this respect we may have to set one or another priority.”
The IOC confirmed to PEOPLE that the decision on international spectators will be made before the end of the month.
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Tokyo Summer Olympics logo.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty
Back in March of last year, the IOC’s executive board met to finalize the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics andannounced that the event would insteadbe held from July 23 through Aug. 8, 2021.
“All our delivery partners including the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, the IOC and the IPC [International Paralympic Committee] are fully focused on hosting the games this summer,” read the statement, according toESPN. “We hope that daily life can return to normal as soon as possible, and we will continue to make every effort to prepare for a safe and secure games.”
At the time, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee noted that it hadn’t been informed of any change in the status of the upcoming event.
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Under the new rules, athletes and officials must wear a face mask “at all times” unless they are sleeping, eating, or at least six feet away from others while outside. Physicalcontact, such as hugs, handshakes, and high-fives, should also be avoided, the playbook states.
In addition, athletes and officials will not be able to use public transportation without permission. Athletes are also barred from visiting venues as spectators.
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source: people.com
