'Fans from abroad may not be allowed at Tokyo Olympics'

ANKARA

Spectators at this year’s Tokyo Olympics are likely to be restricted to only people living in Japan, local media reported late on Wednesday.

“The Japanese government is leaning toward limiting spectators at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to people living in Japan to ensure safety amid the coronavirus pandemic,” said a report by Kyodo News, citing sources familiar with the matter.

A decision on whether to allow fans from overseas will be taken by the end of March.

In an online meeting on Wednesday, top officials, including International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach and Seiko Hashimoto, head of the Tokyo Games organizing committee, “decided to draw a conclusion by the end of April” on the number of fans to be allowed, the report added.

Initially scheduled for last July, the Tokyo Olympics were among a host of sporting events postponed worldwide because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event is now scheduled to take place in Japan’s capital from July 23 until Aug. 8, followed by the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.