Spectators from abroad will be barred from the Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO (AP) – Finally it is official after countless news and rumors without sources: spectators from abroad will be prevented from postponing the Tokyo Olympics, when they open in four months.

The decision was announced on Saturday after an online meeting of the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese government, the Tokyo government, the International Paralympic Committee and local organizers.

Authorities said the risk was too great to admit ticket holders from abroad during a pandemic. The Japanese public was also opposed to fans from abroad. Various surveys have shown that up to 80% are opposed to the Olympics, and a similar percentage is opposed to the participation of foreign fans.

Japan attributed about 8,800 deaths to COVID-19 and controlled the virus better than most countries.

“In order to give clarity to ticket holders living abroad and to allow them to adjust their travel plans at this stage, the parties on the Japanese side have come to the conclusion that they will not be able to enter Japan at the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the Tokyo organizing committee said in a statement.

Organizers said 600,000 tickets were sold to fans outside of Japan. They promised refunds, but this will be determined by so-called authorized ticket resellers who handle sales outside of Japan. These resellers charge fees up to 20% above the ticket price. . It is not clear whether the fees will be reimbursed.

Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee, said that organizers are not responsible for money lost on flights or hotel reservations. He said that this did not involve any “Tokyo contract agreement”.

Organizing committee chairwoman Seiko Hashimoto, who appeared at seven Olympics as an athlete – she won bronze in speed skating in 1992 – said there was pressure to wait longer to make a decision. But she said that fans can now plan. She also regretted the change.

“So the fact that the spectators are unable to watch the games from abroad – this is very disappointing and it is unfortunate,” she said. “It was an inevitable decision.”

IOC President Thomas Bach called it a “difficult decision”.

“We have to make decisions that may require everyone to sacrifice,” he said.

Muto seemed to dismiss the entry of fans who may have received tickets from sponsors with many pockets.

“If they are part of the operation of the games, if they are in any way involved in the operation, there is still the possibility of entering Japan,” said Muto. “But only as spectators to watch the games – no, they will not be allowed to make an entrance.”

The financial weight of the sale of lost tickets falls on Japan. The budget of the local organizing committee predicted revenue of US $ 800 million from ticket sales, the third largest source of revenue in the budget with private financing. Any budget deficit will have to be made up for by Japanese government entities.

“Ticket revenue will be in decline,” said Muto. “This is very clear at this point.”

Muto also suggested more cuts for people on the outskirts of the Olympics. He also said that volunteers from abroad would be “treated the same way”, but said the details would be released later.

“But when it comes to other people related to games or whether we should keep the same number – we may have to reduce the number. That is the consensus. That is the premise, ”he said.

Overall, Japan is officially spending $ 15.4 billion to organize the Olympics. Several government audits claim that the real cost can be doubled. Everything except $ 6.7 billion is public money, and a study by the University of Oxford says that these are the most expensive Olympics ever recorded.

About 4.45 million tickets have been sold to residents in Japan. Organizers are expected to announce next month the capacity of the venues, which will now be occupied only by local residents.

The ban on foreign fans comes just days before the start of the Olympic torch relay on Thursday in Fukushima prefecture in northeastern Japan. It will last 121 days, crossing Japan with 10,000 runners, and should end on 23 July at the opening ceremony at Tokyo National Stadium.

The relay will be a test for the Olympics and Paralympics, which will involve 15,400 athletes entering Japan. They will be tested before leaving home, tested on arrival in Japan and often tested while residing in a safe “bubble” at Vila dos Atletas. side of Tokyo Bay, or at training sites or facilities.

Athletes will not need to be vaccinated to enter Japan, but many will be.

In the middle of Saturday’s meeting, Bach and others received a reminder about northeast Japan, subject to earthquakes – and Japan in general.

A strong earthquake shook Tokyo and triggered a tsunami warning when Bach and others made introductory comments before the virtual meeting. The force was rated 7.0 by the US Geological Survey and the site was in northeastern Japan, an area hit by a major earthquake and tsunami in 2011. About 18,000 people died in the tragedy 10 years ago.

“I think the screen is shaking. You noticed that the screen is shaking, ”said Tamayo Marukawa, Japan’s Olympic minister, while giving her presentation in Tokyo, talking remotely to Bach, visible on a screen in Switzerland. “In fact, we are in the middle of an earthquake right now.”

Authorities said there were no immediate reports of damage.

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