It’s been decided that next month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo will take place with no spectators cheering on the athletes.
The Japanese government has made the decision after a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
What’s been announced?
A state of emergency was declared in the Japanese capital on 8 July and will stay in place until 22 August.
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in 23 July and 8 August, and the Paralympic Games between 24 August and 5 September.
Ministers and organisers have now decided to ban all spectators from the Olympics..
A decision will be made about spectators at the Paralympics by 16 July.
Originally, up to 10,000 Japanese fans were to be permitted to attend.
Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said she was “sorry to those who purchased tickets and everyone in local areas”.
It was announced back in March that international fans would not be able to attend the games.
When and where are the Olympics?
The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were postponed from last year because of Covid.
The Olympics will feature 33 sports at 339 events across 42 venues. The Paralympics will feature 22 sports at 539 events across 21 venues.
Most events will be in the Greater Tokyo area, although some football games and the marathon will take place in the northern city of Sapporo.
What’s happening with Covid in Japan?
Overall the country has had relatively low case numbers, but a new wave of infections began in April.
As of 8 July, there were 812,089 confirmed cases and 14,848 deaths (compared with five million cases and 128,500 deaths in the UK)
Japan only began vaccinating people in February, later than most other developed nations.
Just over 15% of Japan’s population of nearly 126 million people is fully vaccinated.
In Tokyo and Osaka, the two cities hit hardest by the recent surge, authorities hope over-65s will be fully vaccinated by the end of July.
Entry to Japan by foreigners from 159 countries – including the UK – is currently banned.
What Covid measures will be in place for visiting athletes?
International athletes and support staff will be tested before departure and on arrival in Japan.
UK athletes will be required to stay within their Team GB bubble for at least the first three days in the country. They will be tested every day.
Athletes don’t have to be vaccinated, though International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials expect around 80% will be.
Two members of the Ugandan delegation have tested positive in Japan, including boxing coach Patrick Lihanda.
Do people in Japan want the Olympics?
Several towns set to host athletes have reportedly pulled out because of fears about Covid and extra pressure on the healthcare system.
In May, a Japanese doctors’ union said it was “impossible” to hold the Games given the pandemic.
A recent poll in the leading Asahi Shimbun newspaper suggested more than 80% of the population want them cancelled or postponed.
The paper also called for the event to be cancelled.
What have athletes’ representatives said?
A number of bodies and experts have expressed concern.
The World Players Association, representing 85,000 athletes in over 60 countries, said the IOC must do more to ensure athletes’ safety – with stricter physical distancing and more rigorous testing.
Japanese athletes have largely kept a low profile, but the country’s biggest sports star, tennis champion Naomi Osaka, previously said there should be a debate about whether the Games should go ahead.
Could the games have been cancelled?
The contract between the IOC and the host city Tokyo made it clear only the IOC could cancel the event.
The IOC is thought to make around 70% of its money from broadcast rights, and 18% from sponsorship.
It has repeatedly insisted the Games can go ahead safely, even under a state of emergency.
If Tokyo had broken the contract and cancelled, the risks and losses would fall on the Japanese side.
The budget for Tokyo 2020 was set at $12.6bn (£8.9bn), although it’s been reported that the actual cost could be double that.
