International Spectators Banned From Tokyo Summer Games

This year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo will not be letting in overseas spectators, a press release says.

The decision was made by the Japanese Parties in the Five Parties Meeting, and was made because of the persistent COVID-19 threat still present in the world.

“We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic fans from around the world, and of course the families and friends of the athletes, who were planning to come to the Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “For this I am truly sorry. We know that this is a great sacrifice for everybody. We have said from the very beginning of this pandemic that it will require sacrifices.”

But he said it’s important for safety to be maintained and for every decision “to respect the principle of safety first.”

Bach says the Japanese officials did not reach the decision lightly and says the Olympics plans to make “every effort so that the fans from around the world will be able to experience the Olympic spirit.”

“In this way, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the light at the end of the tunnel and a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and the resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic,” he said, according to the press release.

Japanese coordinators have also hoped as of late that U.S. President Joe Biden will help to boost momentum for the games, with Haruyuki Takahashi, executive board member of Japan’s Olympic organizing committee, saying that despite Biden’s current full plate of issues with the virus, a positive statement for the games could make all the difference.

The U.S. is an ally of Japan’s and brings the most athletes and advertising dollars to the games, and some say American support could be integral this year — especially as polls have shown that over 80 percent of Japanese people surveyed are not in favor of hosting the games this summer.