TheCable

Foreign spectators will not be allowed to grace the Olympic games and Paralympics in Tokyo.

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Tokyo committee, made the announcement at a news conference on Saturday.

He assured that the lack of international spectators will not spoil the games.

“The Tokyo 2020 Games will be completely different from the past, but the essence remains the same,” Hashimoto said.

“Athletes will put everything on the line and inspire people with their outstanding performances.”

Another meeting will be held in April to determine how many spectators would be allowed into Olympic venues.

The number of officials to be allowed at the games, including reporters and staff, is also up for review.

The organisers of the games have also decided not to accept volunteers from abroad.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said the priority of the organisers is to ensure the safety of all participants and people of Japan.

“We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic fans from around the world,” Bach said.

“For this I am truly sorry. We know that this is a great sacrifice for everybody.”

The organising committee is expected to refund those who have purchased tickets outside of Japan.

Japan has recorded 450,000 cases and just over 8,000 deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.