The festive atmosphere will have to be removed!
Concerned about providing safe Games, Organizing Committee President Seiko Hashimoto set the scene, while admitting that her teams must show creativity
to still fuel a positive atmosphere.
Officials on Monday decided to allow a maximum of 10,000 local spectators per venue, but Hashimoto warned them not to expect the kind of party Euro football fans are currently entitled to.
In Europe, the sites are full of celebrations. Unfortunately, we may not be able to do the same.
In Japan, spectators will have to meet several requirements to attend the Games. Anyone registering a body temperature above 37.5 degrees during two separate checks will be refused entry, as will anyone coughing or not wearing a mask, and with no possible refund if entry is refused.
Once inside, spectators will be able to applaud, but will not have the right to cheer the athletes or come into direct contact with other spectators. They will be invited to return home after the competitions. It will also be prohibited to ask athletes for autographs, to express verbal support or to wave a towel.
Spectators will also have to dispense with alcohol, which is permitted at other sporting events currently in Japan. This ban aims to mitigate public concerns as much as possible
, explained the president of Tokyo 2020.
People can feel joy in their hearts, but cannot be loud and should avoid crowds
, did she say. We put a lot of effort into finding a new way to celebrate
, she added.
These Games will highlight the true values
of the Olympic movement, underlined Ms. Hashimoto, recalling that in recent years, some worried
may the Olympics be become so massive
.
Reassure the population
The Tokyo Olympics will take place from July 23 to August 8. Strict measures have also been imposed on athletes who will undergo daily drug tests and be kept away from the public.
In recent months, the organizers have done everything to give pledges to a wary, even hostile Japanese population.
In March, they announced that overseas spectators would be banned from the Games, a first in Olympic history. And, on Monday, they authorized the public residing in Japan, but at 50% of the reception capacities of each site and within a maximum limit of 10,000 people.
It will obviously be nicer than empty stands
, said Benoît Binon, national technical director of the French archery team. With a 50% gauge, it should make 2750 spectators on the site, which is not bad compared to what we usually know about our competitions
.
The late decision on local spectators has become a ticketing headache, one month before the opening ceremony. The organizers must collect around 900,000 tickets from the more than 3.6 million already sold to account for the gauges at each site and, to do so, they will organize a raffle. No other tickets will be sold.
Tokyo 2020 ticketing manager Hidenori Suzuki has apologized to those who will not be able to attend the event, but urged others to play the game. You represent Japan by supporting all the athletes around the world.
However, the organizers remain on high alert in the face of COVID-19. After a coach from the Ugandan delegation tested positive on Saturday when he arrived in Tokyo, a second person linked to this delegation tested positive on Wednesday, while the team was reportedly vaccinated and tested negative before departure. The delegation had already been placed in quarantine until July 3.
