Tokyo Olympics Steering Toward Fan-Free Event

It’s been a difficult time for Japan as they’ve been trying to navigate through the pandemic. The president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee hinted it could be possible local spectators may be barred from venues when the games begin on July 23. Here are the highlights:

• Fans have been deemed too risky and the prospect of empty venues became even more apparent after the state of emergency was extended to June 20. 
• While the state of emergency was to be lifted by the end of May, Covid cases continue to rise and put people at greater risk.
• Organizers and the IOC insist that things will go on despite many people wanting the Olympics to be called off. Organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said they’ll make a decision on fans after the state of emergency has been lifted.
• While there are a lot of people that don’t want spectators at the Olympics, there have been events with fans. Hashimoto said they’re keeping all of these things in mind in the next month or so.
• Even with all of the cancellation pressure from bringing in athletes and staff, the IOC says more than 80% of the athletes staying in the Olympic Village on Tokyo Bay will be fully inoculated. 
• The head of a small doctors’ union in Japan warned that holding the Olympics would increase the risk of spreading variants of Covid.
• However, Hashimoto is steadfast in believing that things will go on. Even in a pandemic situation, they’re fighting hard to hold the games.