By Jamie Gardner, PA Chief Sports Reporter
Organisers of the Tokyo Olympic Games have fixed spectator limits for the event at 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, up to a maximum of 10,000.
The decision was taken following a meeting on Monday morning involving local organisers, the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the national government.
Japan’s top coronavirus advisor had told organisers on Friday that the best way to limit the risk of spread was to hold the events behind closed doors, but organisers have opted to follow the existing government limits for sports events in the country.
“In light of the government’s restrictions on public events, the spectator limit for the Olympic Games will be set at 50 per cent of venue capacity, up to a maximum of 10,000 people at all venues,” a statement from Tokyo 2020 read.
The spectator limit for the Olympic Games will be set at 50% of venue capacity, up to a maximum of 10,000 people at all venues.
For more information on what was agreed upon at today's five-party meeting: https://t.co/On7tfGKidm
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) June 21, 2021
Organisers said students in the schools’ spectator programme would not be considered within these limits, and would be treated separately.
If a state of emergency or other priority measures are imposed after July 12, restrictions on spectator numbers will be based on the content of the state of emergency or other relevant measures in force at the time.
The competition schedule remains unchanged.
Spectators must refrain from shouting or speaking loudly, the statement said, and must travel direct to the venue and return immediately home afterwards.
Tokyo 2020 organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto said: “We acknowledge that there is uncertainty around the pandemic so we need to be flexible.
“If there is any abrupt change in the situation, we will be holding a five-party meeting to make decisions.
“If there’s an announcement of a state of emergency, all options will be examined by the stakeholders.”
Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto said delegates and sponsors would be classed as organisers, and therefore not part of the spectator cap.
