Tokyo Olympics to Allow Up to 10,000 Local Fans Into Venues

With the Tokyo Olympics due to begin in little over a month, organizers have now announced that some local fans will be allowed to attend. After a meeting of the so-called Five Party — local organizers, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the Japanese government and the government of metropolitan Tokyo — up to 10,000 fans will be able to visit the venues.

The decision to set a 10,000 limit had been reported earlier this month, but the official announcement brings with it a range of further restrictions for attendees. Fans at the venues must wear masks, will not be allowed to cheer and should go straight home after the match.

Speaking about the decision, local organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said, “We need to be very flexible. If there is any abrupt change in the situation, we will hold five-party meetings again to make other decisions. If there is an announcement of a state of emergency during the games, all the options like no-spectator games will be examined.”