Tokyo Olympics 2020 to be held in Japan without the presence of overseas spectators

Japan is all set to stage the Tokyo Olympics 2020, which was originally scheduled for last year, this year but without the presence of overseas spectators amid the pandemic situation. According to Kyodo news agency in Japan, the summer Olympics and Paralympics will be held without any international spectators.

Kyodo officials, citing sources in the Olympics, said that welcoming an audience from abroad would not be feasible given the COVID-19 situation around the globe and with countries discovering new variants, it would be a health hazard to allow spectators from abroad.

Meanwhile, it has also been learnt that the



opening ceremony of the torch relay will be held without the presence of any spectators.

"The organising committee has decided it is essential to hold the ceremony in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima behind closed doors, only permitting participants and invitees to take part in the event, to avoid large crowds forming amid the pandemic," Kyodo said, quoting the officials.

These reports have emerged a day after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the decision on whether overseas spectators will be allowed to attend the summer games, to be held from July 23 to August 8, will be taken by the end of March.