It’s Official. No Fans Allowed at Tokyo Olympics

With two weeks to go before the 32nd edition of the Summer Olympics are set to begin, the city of Tokyo has declared a state of emergency due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and has barred any spectators from attending the games. Not only will there be no Sha’Carri at the Olympics, there will also be no fans.

This marks a complete 180 degree turn from what officials were saying less than three weeks ago, when they insisted they could safely hold the games with some fans in the stands.

Originally, foreign fans were banned, but Japanese residents would be allowed to attend the games in limited capacity, with venues capped at 50%, up to a maximum of 10,000 fans.

For those that chose to attend, there would be drastic restrictions, including no cheering and no sales of alcohol. Japanese officials also instructed fans to go directly home after events, fearing that they would congregate and possibly spread the virus.

“It is regrettable that we are delivering the games in a very limited format, facing the spread of coronavirus infections,” Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said. “I am sorry for those who purchased tickets.”

According to USA Today, there were 896 new cases in Tokyo on Thursday, up from 673 a week ago.

“We absolutely must avoid Tokyo being the starting point again of another spread of the infection,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said during a news conference.

For events that will be held outside of Tokyo, there remains the possibility that some fans will be able to attend.

“We will discuss,” Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said.

For olympians who were already set to compete in front of limited crowds, the prospect of no fans in the stands can be daunting. Hashimoto, a seven-time Olympian and former Bronze medalist, believes they will adjust.

“Athletes will do their best,” he said. “Direct observation is not possible, maybe. But through screens and other ways, their fantastic performances will be enjoyed by the people of the world.” 

With Thursday’s decision, ticket revenue, which was supposed to go to local organizers, will be virtually nonexistent. Tokyo had originally budgeted $800 million, but they will be unable to meet that number without fans in the stands. The Japanese government will have to make up the shortfall, further inflating the cost of the games, which was initially estimated to be $15.4 billion.

Tokyo’s new state of emergency is set to run from July 12 to August 22. The games begin July 23, and end on August 8.