A Japanese official choked up with tears as he apologized for the cancelation of Olympic tickets
The display of emotion from Hidenori Suzuki, the official in charge of ticket sales for Tokyo 2020, came a day after organisers bowed to political pressure and rising infections in the capital, barring almost all fans from the Games just two weeks before they are due to start.
He fought back tears and paused in his speech when he was asked about the feelings of staff at the organising team following the decision to ban spectators. "Please stay at home for this Olympics, and share that excitement with families at home," Japanese Health Minister Norihisa Tamura told a news conference.The Games, postponed from last year, are scheduled to run from July 23 to Aug. 8, and opinion polls show the Japanese public is worried about going ahead with them during a pandemic.
American 100 metres hurdles world record holder Kendra Harrison said not having fans present would make little difference in her bid for a first Olympic medal. IOC President Thomas Bach is to visit Hiroshima on July 16 and IOC Vice-President John Coates Nagasaki the same day. Just over 25% of the population has received one vaccine shot and supply glitches are causing an initially delayed vaccination rollout to stumble.
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