Date Set for Decision on Tokyo 2020 Spectators

(ATR) Seiko Hashimoto confirms that Five-Party talks will convene on Monday with a decision about maximum spectator capacity for the Tokyo Games expected.

The Tokyo 2020 president also reveals that Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of the Japanese government coronavirus advisory panel, has informed and recommended to Tokyo 2020 organizers that the best way to proceed safely is without spectators.

Hashimoto acknowledges that specific concerns include the potential for an increase of infections in July and August, consideration of the virus variants, controlling the flow of people and possible pressure being put on the health care system.

However, the Tokyo 2020 president still believes it will be feasible to stage safe and secure Games with some level of spectators.

"He also provided us some insight into what we should take into consideration if we are to hold the Games with spectators," Hashimoto said, referring to Omi. "My understanding was that we share a lot of common understanding in this perspective."

Hashimoto noted that the recommendations provided by the medical consultant were passed along to the IOC and IPC. Those entities, along with Tokyo 2020 organizers and the Tokyo and Japanese governments, make up the five parties who will be meeting on Monday.

"Tokyo 2020 has been making many steps to fight Covid and Dr. Omi has very high regard in what we’ve accomplished so far, that really encourages me and I thought we should do even more going forward," Hashimoto said, addressing media during a news conference from Tokyo.

"I’ve felt he has even higher expectations for us, so even though it might be a very challenging situation with the bar even rising, I think his advice was actually to encourage us so we can continue going forward."

The Japanese government this week called for tighter restrictions for spectators at large events, limiting the number of spectators to 10,000 while not surpassing 50 percent of venue capacity. Only prefectures no longer under a state of emergency or quasi-state of emergency would be eligible.

The government announced on Thursday it would be lifting the current state of emergency for Tokyo and eight other prefectures on June 20.

However, Hashimoto noted people should be prepared for the possibility of the Games proceeding without spectators.

"We endeavor to have more people to enjoy the Games onsite, but if still the circumstances are very challenging, then in that case we may be obliged to not welcome any spectators at the very last minute, but until then we would like to continue doing our best," she said.

She believes that it will be possible to hold the Games with some degree of spectators based upon the extensive countermeasures being implemented, detailed guidance provided to athletes in version three of the ‘playbooks’ and implementation of the "Three Thoroughs" policy.

According to Hashimoto "Three Thoroughs" focuses on thoroughly reducing the inbound stakeholders coming into Japan, thoroughly managing behavior and health, and thoroughly reducing the burden on healthcare staff.

She said it was initially expected that 141,000 people would enter Japan for the Games, a number that has been significantly reduced to 41,000. Olympic family members have been trimmed from 3,000 to 1,200. And for the Paralympic Games, the expected total of 36,000 has been cut to 12,000.

Hashimoto said Covid Liaison officers and GPS will be utilized to help manage movement and behavior of people during the Games.

Regarding minimizing the burden on Japan’s healthcare staff, Hashimoto notes that the IOC assisting with providing volunteer doctors and nurses, a number that is currently over 100 and expected to increase in the coming weeks.

"From a global perspective, this is an engagement that we have made to the world, many people are looking forward to this all around the globe, so that is more of the reason why we need to hold the Games in a safe and secure manner," said the Tokyo 2020 leader.

Written and reported by Brian Pinelli

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