To reduce the spread of Covid-19, fans may be barred from supporting athletes with applause or loud shouts at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, Toshiro Muto, CEO of the games, said on Thursday.
It has already been reported that a gymnastics pilot competition with four countries was held in Japan on Sunday, where both athletes and fans had to comply with strict requirements in order for the organizers to have a clearer idea of the competition in the Covid-19 pandemic.
2,000 fans wore face masks in the 8,700-seat gym and supported the athletes with applause.
On Thursday, Muto revealed that when he arrives in Japan, fans will not have to go through a two-week quarantine because it would be too difficult to control. However, the organizers have already discussed the idea of banning applause, and migrants are likely to face an intensified testing process.
“Given the very large number of foreign fans, 14 days of quarantine and a ban on public transport seem impossible,” Muto said after the committee meeting.
“There is a possibility that we will ask the fans not to shout or speak out loud. Thinking about the consequences, we believe that it is necessary to limit the spread of airway droplets.”
Although most of the world’s sports competitions take place behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic, in Japan fans are allowed to attend the sports competitions in limited numbers. During the event, fans are asked not to ban.
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has previously expressed confidence that a limited number of fans will be able to attend the Tokyo Olympics. He is scheduled to visit Tokyo next week.
“Local organizers have already proven that the competition can be held in the presence of fans, so I am sure that a certain number of supporters will also be in Tokyo,” said Bach.
“How much and under what conditions will be shown by further events.”
Organizers have already indicated that after entering Tokyo, athletes and officials will have limited mobility for the next two weeks.
Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the games were postponed for exactly one year, planning them from July 23, 2021 to August 8, 2021.
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