Watch: Aerials of Tokyo Olympics venues

Name: Watch: Aerials of Tokyo Olympics venues
Uploaded: 23 Jun 2021, 10:39:34 AM
Duration: 02:18
Channel: TIMESOFINDIA.COM

1 views | Jun 23, 2021, 10:39:34 AM | AP

Japan's capital Tokyo is gearing up to host the Olympic Games in 30 days on Wednesday, with preparations well underway at various venues across the city and also in Yokohama. This year's games will be unlike any other, as countries around the world continue to buckle under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic. The games this year were originally supposed to be in 2020, which makes the event one of the only tournaments to be postponed since the Olympics' inception in 1896. The only exception were the games due to be held during both World Wars. Opposition among Japanese to holding the Games in July remains high, though may be softening, and as new infections in Tokyo have begun to subside. Tokyo has just emerged from a state of emergency as a curve of new cases flattened. The capital and other areas are now under "quasi-emergency" status until July 11. The new rules will allow restaurants to serve alcohol during limited hours. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) is the only entity with the power to actually cancel or postpone the games and although the Japanese Prime Minister has urged that health should be paramount, he has ultimately left the decision up to the IOC. It remains determined that they go ahead and that they will be safe. Billions of dollars in broadcast rights and ticket sales are at stake. Despite warnings from a top health official that spectators will drive case numbers up, it was announced on Monday by organisers that a limited number of people will be able to attend. Organizers set a limit of 50% capacity - up to a maximum of 10,000 fans, all of whom must be Japanese residents - for each Olympic venue, regardless of whether it is indoors or outdoors. Officials said that if coronavirus cases rise again the rules could be changed and fans could still be barred altogether. Spectators from abroad were banned several months ago, and now some local fans who have tickets will be forced to give them up. Although excitement is building and IOC officials remain steadfast, health experts fear that in a country where the vast majority of people have yet to be vaccinated, crowds at the Olympics could drive cases up.