TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES TO ALLOW DOMESTIC SPECTATORS

Organisers of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games have announced that spectators will be allowed. Facing harsh criticism for allowing mass groups to get together in a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, organisers have made a decision regarding international spectators.

It was announced on Monday that only domestic spectators will be allowed. A limit has been put on the maximum number of spectators and masks will be required.

At the big stadiums, like the national stadium which hosted the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, up to 10,000 fans will be allowed. The stadium has the capacity to host 68,000 fans.

Cheering will not be allowed as spectators have been prohibited from shouting. Spectators will also be required to travel directly to venues and go straight home afterwards.

Some international teams have already arrived in Tokyo ahead of the games, set to start on 23 July.

Japan still currently has "quasi emergency" COVID-19 measures in place, due to expire on 11 July. Organisers said that anti-infection measures will determine whether those measures are extended beyond the current expiration date.

The host country has received harsh criticism from other countries, including its own people, for going ahead and hosting the event amid the pandemic. The games were meant to take place last year but were cancelled due to the rising numbers of infections worldwide.

Image credit: CNN International