After a year of empty bleachers and fake crowd noises, sports fans are returning to stadiums around the world. But the one arena where they might not be welcome is the biggest event of all.
Japan Considers Zero-Spectator Olympics Amid Backlash Over Covid Surge Japan Considers Zero-Spectator Olympics Amid Backlash Over Covid Surge We are prepared for no spectators, Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Japan Olympic Organizing Committee, said late last month.
Initially, 6,00,000 fans from abroad had been projected to attend the games.
After a year of empty bleachers and fake crowd noises, sports fans are returning to stadiums around the world. But the one arena where they might not be welcome is the biggest event of all.
Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics are set to decide next month if local spectators will be allowed to attend events, even as Japan works to tamp down a wave of infections that has cast doubt over the prospects of a mass gathering with cheering fans. Public opinion, already strongly against holding the games at all, is trending toward support for a zero-spectator Games.
Facing backlash, Japan ponders a zero-spectator Olympics pressherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pressherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tokyo Seeks Virus Emergency Declaration as Olympics Near Bloomberg 3 hrs ago Isabel Reynolds
(Bloomberg) Japan’s capital is seeking to reimpose a state of emergency to stem a worrying rise in coronavirus infections about three months before it hosts the Olympics.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike made the request to the central government Thursday, she told reporters, adding the extent of restrictions to be introduced was still under discussion. The government will hold a meeting of its virus task force Friday, the Asahi newspaper reported, at which the measures and related details are likely to be announced.
Japan’s No. 2 metro area Osaka, which has been hit with record highs in cases, has also asked for the restrictions, while media reports said neighboring Hyogo and Kyoto may be covered by the new declaration. The emergency is likely to be in place from April 25 to May 11, covering the “Golden Week” string of national holidays, Jiji Press said.
Japan’s Suga Recommends Tokyo Virus Emergency as Olympics Near Bloomberg 2 hrs ago Isabel Reynolds
(Bloomberg) Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga recommended placing Tokyo, Osaka and other areas under a state of emergency to stem a surge in coronavirus infections just three months before the capital hosts the Olympics.
Suga was looking to also place Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures, which border Osaka, under a state of emergency, telling reporters Thursday he will make a formal decision after consulting with experts.
Suga has previously approved measures within a day of issuing a recommendation on stepped up virus restrictions, with local media saying the declaration was expected to come Friday. The emergency is likely to be in place from April 25 to May 11, covering the “Golden Week” string of national holidays, Jiji Press said.