tokyo 2020 olympics

Tokyo Olympic spectator cap set at 10,000 or 50% capacity per venue

66 Comments
By Ayano Shimizu

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66 Comments
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Ready, set, DECIDE!!!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

What would be interesting to see is, if they allow spectators but nobody is going.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

TOC still going on with this nonsense.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Elvis is here

All things considered, who would want to go to any events?

Well, me? As long as the spectator limit is set to 1/3 or at least 1/2 of the full capacity. Have tickets to three different events.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Still deciding on this?

Just do not allow anyone to attend.

Two reasons: the obvious pandemic that was never in control in Japan and, having only one nationally attending an event where supporters from more than 150 countries were suppose to attend?

Slightly awkward maybe?

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Limit the Japan Olympics to ZERO!

7 ( +11 / -4 )

until May, focus was "should be hold Olympics or not" in also Japan.

but it was gradually changed to talking about "should accept spectators or not, and now, it changed to talking about "how many spectators?". 

Japan's authorities avoid straight explanation or debate, make accomplished facts one after another, produce social atmosphere as if Olympics is unavoidable, and urge to give up opposition.

This is typical Japan's "Nashikuzushi

12 ( +13 / -1 )

@Vinke As long as the spectator limit is set to 1/3 or at least 1/2 of the full capacity.

Following logic, it should be at most 1/3.

The goal is to force social distancing, but having only one seat empty every two seats is meaningless if the row behind and in front of you are also half occupied: those people would be too close to the other in front or behind. To enforce proper distancing and limit the risk of virus transmission, there are only two configurations:

-- either one seat every two seats on an used row is occupied, and one full row is empty between two rows

or one seat every three seats on a row is occupied, with the next row having the occupied seat shifted one place

That brings the total capacity to between 1/4 and 1/3 max, depending on configurations. Anything higher is just pretending to care.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Imagine living in a country trying to make a decision makes the gov't look like they are fighting their way through a wet paper bag.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Elvis - I understand and also fret the supermarket trips (which is why I avoid going to them during the weekends or during the rush hour). I'm however hoping to have at least the 1st vaccine jab by the events I have the tickets to, and in addition 2 of them are outdoors, making them safer in my opinion. All of the events have assigned seating, so it won't be the same as crowded supermarkets, where people are moving around indoors, bumping into each other, touching stuff. (Of course, entrance/exit/commute may be an issue.)

I can't say that I wouldn't be nervous at all, going to the events, though - I am. That's why I have visors, gloves, disinfectants etc prepared, hoping they'll offer at least some additional protection to myself and others.

Also hoping we'll get full refund in case we're not allowed to go - thanks.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

What would be interesting to see is, if they allow spectators but nobody is going.

If they allow the media/officials and students, basically nobody can go...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

didn't they 'decide' no spectators yesterday? the plan changes every day..... and.... the whole world's watching.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

no, they said they might switch to no spectators if there is a SOE

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

looks like it is official now.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/acc9d885b07a613b0837c8193cbde1930064b3e3?tokyo2020

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

oooh!! 10,000 spectators.

That's an unexpected decision.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Does that include the Olympic VIPs, guests, sponsors, friends of the IOC, etc., all over here for a free jolly?

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Bach doesn’t care about in-person spectators. It’s the TV audience which makes him his filthy lucre.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

John Oliver is talking just now about the Tokyo Olympics.

https://youtu.be/KH-zKOPMuq4

0 ( +2 / -2 )

10000 fans in the Olympic stadium is a bit low. For an outdoor stadium, 20000 seems more reasonable.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Ignoring expert health people, gold medal. I can think of a medal under bronze.....

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Ignoring expert health people, gold medal. I can think of a medal under bronze.....

Unfortunately these "health experts" only think of the worst case scenario and aren't fit for running a country. What's worse is they do nothing to help improve the situation - lack of testing and lack of hospital beds, etc., and only seem interested in political warfare.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

All things considered, who would want to go to any events?

I'll (just in time) be fully vaccinated by the time the one event I have tickets for rolls around, so I'll probably go if I'm allowed since at this point I doubt they're gonna refund anyone.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Great news! Let's prioritize tickets for the people of Tohoku for whom the Olympic is being held. The light post covid will burn bright!

Good luck Tokyo 2020!

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Wait, why do they have on their masks? I thought they thought everything was fine...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Who cares can’t wait for all this covidlympics to be over and zero future articles

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I would have thought the larger stadiums with capacities of 40-70k would have allowed more spectators to attend with them being large outdoor venues with decent airflow.

Still hoping to be able to attend, I have 4 tickets.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Getting used to the level of disgust surrounding this organisation. The only reason is so the VIP’s and federation heads, noc’s, IOC members would not stand out.

i stop now, and this time i mean it, with this website. Bye to all

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"Because of this full trust in you, I can already tell you now that even before having heard your decision that the IOC will fully support your decision

Can I just stop you there for a moment?

Ok. If you’re saying this then how exactly do you justify your job position?

Is a robot Bach cheaper or does it still need bribes?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The committee had sold about 4.48 million Olympic tickets and it will not sell any more.

Huh? And all along here they told people seeking refunds that they didnt sell any tickets at all, and contracted it out to third party vendors, and people seeking refunds should get it from them, as they are not responsible!

AND those vendors are reportedly only refunding between 60% to 75% of the actual cost of the tickets, because THEY incurred costs during the process of selling the tickets.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

therougou:

lack of testing

Can we blame the LDP for that?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Other than public heath concerns, people get upset that most seats would be reserved for VIP delegates, sponsor firms and Olympic aristocrats.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

One event. 10000 will infect 100000. 5-10% will die or have serious long term effects, like white fungus, black fungus etc.

as almost all of spectators will come from all over japan, and most of a mature age, expect around 50000 a day going to hospital for check up after exposure at multi 10000 capacity venues. They will, of course use overcrowded public transportation.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

And let me guess. They’ll limit the amount of people that can enter the vicinity,

BUT not spread them out around the venue.

Instead they will place them all in sections close to each other,

in order to defeat the purpose of a limited audience and forego the thing called social distancing.

Or is that too obvious of a prediction?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They are expected, however, to leave open the option of holding the games without spectators in case the infection situation worsens before or after the Olympics begin on July 23.

Nothing but lip service, it won't happen.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just curious….did Bach say anything about the liability waivers each athlete is being asked to sign insulating the IOC from any responsibility should any athlete contract Covid? Just curious.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Unnecessarily complicated and contradictory measures just to avoid letting "important" people lose their money, instead the government decided to let the public do it with the unneffective but costly SoE, and now risking also the health of the population with the same end.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Even with reduced attendance, social distancing, mask wearing . . . . should be required. Daily clean up, sanitation will also add to costs . . . ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Any reason for this number or is it just another arbitrary thing they pulled out of their... thin air.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Here we have a photo of Thomas Bach on a big TV practicing a safe Olympics (by not being physically present at the meeting). Evidently, he didn't make the 50% cap today.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Who cares wont be watching this rubbish anyway even if it was forced on me like a vaccine or a vacation I wont be taking it!!

Wont be watching ANY Of It !!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Wondering how dangerous is to attend these events vs going to a grocery store

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Koike, Hashimoto, and the IOC are just plain gross.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

There will be so much vaccine pumping through the Japanese veins by the time the Olympics roll around that infected numbers will continue to drop. The private sector is stepping up big time and already 32M doses have been given which gives a good level of protection. With all of the testing required to participate in the Olympics and the bubble, they will easily control any foreign infections. Let's just be happy things are going in a positive direction.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

In other media reports, the IOC family, officials, VIPs, delegates, sponsors and the like are NOT included in this total of 10,000.

So their free jolly is guaranteed!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

People are likely to die because of this decision.

Meanwhile, and slightly besides the point, hosting the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in July was always a stupid idea, because it's too damn hot. Well before the pandemic, people were already discussing possible casualties due to heat stroke.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

10,000 or 50% capacity per venue, where/who plucked that stat from, out of whose hat?

The committee has sold tickets for 42 percent of the total seats in venues. But tickets purchased for some events have topped 50 percent of venue capacity.......opps.....

Why not 15,000?

The published scientific evidence? So 11,000? That 1000 will make the difference? Nope the tickets have been sold

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee, said at a press conference that a fresh lottery to determine who will be allowed to watch in person will be held.

So it is possible the ticket revenue could yield a further windfall.

Hope the over 50 have been vaccinated.

Koike also highlighted the point at the meeting, saying she thinks the organizers should consider the possibility of staging the games behind closed doors if the situation of the pandemic and the country's medical system change.

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike, organizing a political escape route, as escape route go that's a sure fire gold medal.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

therougou:

Unfortunately these "health experts" only think of the worst case scenario and aren't fit for running a country.

I know, let's look on the bright side and assume there'll be zero cases and deaths by the time the Olympics start. Here's to wishful thinking!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If you attend you should sign a disclaimer that if you catch covid you will foot the bill of your treatment yourself. Ignorance, plain and simple!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Let the games begin!!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

NHK reported that the half million seats reserved for school children are not included in the 10000 rule. Expect some bigger crowds if the kids end up at the same few popular events. Plus all the chaperones a school trip entails.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

GoodlucktoyouJune 21  07:53 pm JST

One event. 10000 will infect 100000. 5-10% will die or have serious long term effects, like white fungus, black fungus etc.

as almost all of spectators will come from all over japan, and most of a mature age, expect around 50000 a day going to hospital for check up after exposure at multi 10000 capacity venues. They will, of course use overcrowded public transportation.

What are you basing this prediction on? Seriously.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If fully vaccinated why not fill the seats to capacity. Don’t people believe in science anymore.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Will anyone even be watching?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

10,000 non-vaccinated Japanese and not a single VACCINATED foreigner allowed. I hope the Japanese enjoy their private little Olympics.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Every day, this policy changes. Why?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is why.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We're doomed... I wonder whether we will also run out of (ironically) Greek Letters, for the variants of COVID that will befall upon this wonderful Nation, so, so, sadly, like some terrible dark Shakespearean Theatre.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

So, why capped at 10,000 people per venue? People are still going to be corralled together in areas. Just like the US Open for golf, they limited the number of fans drastically, but they all corralled tightly in the same spots. Lol. The COVID regulations are funny. Not even based on science.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

More fudged numbers - it doesn't include the Really Important People, apparently school students don't count into the cap limit. Does that mean students aren't considered people perhaps, mm?

Also, check this video about the Olympic village 'bubble':

https://www.bbc.com/sport/57550621

So all athletes in a twin room 'bubble' - really clever in a pandemic. Dining hall 'bubble' serving 45,000 meals a day. Gym 'bubble' with capacity for up to 500 athletes.

Hmm ... I wonder why medical experts say it can't be done safely?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

10,000 people who will all be arriving by train and leaving by train.

This is suicide.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This decision makes no sense at all. They have had full capacity in the bar's and restaurants but close early. All they had to do for spectators for the Olympics was to allow only fully vaccinated spectators to enter, and I mean foreign spectators too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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