Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike receives the Olympic torch lantern from Aki Taguchi, Official Ambassador of the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay, in Tokyo on Friday. (Photo: Reuters)
TOKYO: After weeks of insisting that the Tokyo 2020 Games could go ahead with spectators, organisers finally bowed to political pressure and rising Covid-19 infections, banning almost all fans from the global sports event just two weeks before it opens.
The decision, made after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Thursday a fourth state of emergency for the capital, all but robs the Games of their last hope for pomp and public spectacle.
Japanese Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said he felt sorry for athletes but that the decision was the right one.
“Please stay at home for this Olympics, and share that excitement with families at…
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