Tokyo: After weeks insisted that the Tokyo 2020 match could continue with the audience, the organizers finally bent on political pressure and increased Covid-19 infection, forbid almost all fans from global sports events just two weeks before opening.
The decision, which was made after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Thursday the fourth emergency for the capital, all but seized their last hope for the strongest and public spectacle.
Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura said he felt sorry for athletes but the decision was the right one.
“Please stay at home for this Olympics, and share the joy with family at home,” he told a press conference on Friday.
The game is scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, and polls consistently show that the Japanese public is worried about going forward with them during a pandemic.
In a recent media survey, 35% favored no audience, 26% want some limitations and 34% want the game to be canceled or postponed.
The audience from abroad was banned a few months ago.
“We come to the conclusion that we can get an understanding of more people for hosting (Olympics), if we hold it without a spectator, even though it is very unfortunate,” said Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto after the decision.
This step also seems to be inhaling the best case scenario for Suga, where he will call general elections immediately after a successful match that has rejected his wet support.
“The scenario was completely destroyed,” said ITO’s independent political analyst.
The election for a strong parliamentary house must be held later this year and Suga also faces a recovery race for the leadership of the ruling party.
After being seen as an opportunity for Japan to showcase the recovery of prolonged stagnation and the devastating earthquake a decade ago, the event was postponed by the pandemic last year and had been hit by the excess budget of massive.
Reducing the risk, small buzzmedical experts have said for weeks that do not have the audience will be the least risky choice, amid widespread public fears that the inclusion of tens of thousands of athletes and officials will trigger a wave of fresh infection.
Tara Kirk sold, the Olympic silver medalist in swimming and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, welcomed the decision to ban the audience.
“This is clearly disappointing for everyone involved.
But I think it reduces a little risk,” he told Reuters.
Japan has not suffered an explosive outbreak that is seen elsewhere but has recorded more than 800,000 cases and more than 14,890 deaths.
Tokyo reported 896 new infections on Thursday, the 19th day in a row week to week rose.
More than 25% of the population had received one shot vaccine and supply disruption caused the launch of vaccination which was initially delayed to stumble.
Tokyo – who has relied on a booming record in tourism – has experienced a little buzz and excitement.
Tokyo Leg of the Olympic Torch Relay starts on Friday with a small ceremony in a nearly empty garden.
Relays will be maintained on public roads and only small ceremonies without public audiences to be held for the next two weeks people will also be asked not to collect events on public roads, such as Triathlon, even though some places outside Tokyo are bigger.
The metropolitan area will allow a small number of spectators.
Tokyo Olympics: the committee is subject to pressure for the game ‘stay home’
