Published on: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 By: AFP Flag-bearer Keisuke Ushiro leading the Japanese delegation at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony. TOKYO: Tokyo Olympics organisers said Monday they will slash the number of athletes at the opening and closing ceremonies of this year’s coronavirus-delayed Games, as a report said thousands fewer will attend. More than 11,000 athletes are expected to compete at the Tokyo Games, but anti-virus measures limiting the time they can spend in the Olympic Village mean not all will be able to attend the opening and closing festivities. Organisers said they would also “reconsider” how many athletes can take part in the ceremonies, and how to get them into the stadium safely.