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Sports bodies disappointed but accept Tokyo decision to ban spectators
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Members of Britain's Olympic delegation arrive at the airport in Tokyo, Japan, July 8, 2021. /CFP

Members of Britain's Olympic delegation arrive at the airport in Tokyo, Japan, July 8, 2021. /CFP

Various sports federations expressed their disappointment at the decision of Olympics organizers to ban spectators from the July 23-August 8 Tokyo Games but understood Japan's need to take drastic action to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Olympics will take place without spectators in Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, Olympics organizers said on Thursday, as a resurgent coronavirus forced Japan to declare a state of emergency in the capital that will run throughout the Games.

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it was essential to prevent Tokyo, where the highly contagious Delta variant of coronavirus was spreading and becoming a flashpoint of new infections.

People will also be asked not to gather for events on public roads, such as the triathlon, though officials said some venues outside the greater Tokyo metropolitan area would allow small numbers of spectators.

Cuba's Rose Almanza (R) runs on her way to winning the women's 800 meters event during the Diamond League Track and Field Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, July 4, 2021. /CFP

Cuba's Rose Almanza (R) runs on her way to winning the women's 800 meters event during the Diamond League Track and Field Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, July 4, 2021. /CFP

World Athletics, the sport's world governing body, said athletes have become used to competing in stadiums that are not packed but that they would have loved to see "noisy fans" in Tokyo.

"This is disappointing for everyone," World Athletics said in a statement. "For the people of Tokyo and Japan, the chance to see the world's best athletes competing in the flesh is an opportunity that does not come around very often."

"We, of course, need to listen to, and abide by, the decisions that individual countries make because this virus is impacting countries and regions differently and they have access to all the information and the science," the statement continued. "What all of us in sport must focus on is making brave decisions which are usually tough ones."

Players are seen in action during the FIH Women's Olympic Qualifier match between Ireland and Canada in Dublin, Ireland, November 2, 2019. /CFP

Players are seen in action during the FIH Women's Olympic Qualifier match between Ireland and Canada in Dublin, Ireland, November 2, 2019. /CFP

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) said it was expecting a capacity of 5,000 spectators and 2,500 spectators respectively on the two pitches.

"Whilst we of course regret that the current sanitary situation prevents from hosting the Games with spectators, we fully understand and support the decision taken by the Japanese authorities and organizers as well as the International Olympic Committee," the FIH said.

Husain Al-Musallam, the newly-elected president of swimming's world governing body FINA, said his organization had hoped to see the arena filled at a capacity not less than 50 percent.

"But this decision is of course for Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese authorities," Al-Musallam told Reuters via email.

"At the same time, FINA hopes to see spectators attending the Games and FINA hopes this can happen by July 23. Athletes will still have engaging ways to interact with their home countries and fans, and FINA is confident that aquatics athletes will still provide a great competition for the world to watch from their own homes."

The move to bar spectators marked a sharp turnaround from as recently as last week, when officials were still insisting they could organize the Games safely with fans in attendance.

Josip Vrlic (L) of Croatia battles for the ball with Ivan Suchkov of Russia during the FINA Men's Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament match between Croatia and Russia in Rotterdam, Netherlands, February 21, 2021. /CFP

Josip Vrlic (L) of Croatia battles for the ball with Ivan Suchkov of Russia during the FINA Men's Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament match between Croatia and Russia in Rotterdam, Netherlands, February 21, 2021. /CFP

Foreign spectators had already been excluded from the Games, which were postponed by a year.

Germany's athletes' association Athleten Deutschland said the organizers' decision was "both reasonable and appropriate" in view of the pandemic.

"The Olympics must not accelerate the infection rates nationally, nor must they become a global super-spreader event," it said.

"Generally, the organizers must spare no costs and efforts as part of their duty of care to reduce the risk of infection for those involved by all means and measures. This also applies to hygiene and safety rules."

"A state of emergency in Japan is very different from the existing measures in a province like Ontario that still prohibits indoor seating at restaurants," the Canadian Olympic Committee said in an email.

"In Japan, people can still go to the movies, eat in restaurants, take public transportation, and work in an office. There is no question that the absence of spectators at the Games will result in a different experience for everyone in Tokyo."

Source(s): Reuters

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