The IOC come up with three big rules for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2021 to be held in Japan’s capital come July
The torch relay for the games is expected to begin on July 9. Earlier it was decided, that around 10,000 runners would be carrying the Olympic flame in all the 47 prefectures, keeping the COVID-19 protocols in mind, the organizing committee has decided to reduce the number. The committee has also decided to not to hold these events on public roads, especially in areas such as Osaka, Fukuoka etc.
IOC Releases Rules For Tokyo Olympics 2021
1. Prohibition of alcohol
The Organizing Committee had decided that neither selling or consuming alcohol would be allowed during the games. The Kyodo news reported that apart from deciding on the sale of the tickets for the Olympics, the Committee took the decision on Wednesday morning to completely ban alcohol during the games.
The committee justified the decision and said, “Bringing of alcoholic drinks in venues is prohibited, and this has been done to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Just one month is left for the games to begin and the organizers are in the final stages as far as the preparations are concerned and are working really hard to ensure the safety and successful logistical operations for the marquee event.
2. Tokyo Olympics Ticket Holders Rules
On Wednesday morning, the committee also announced decision regarding who will be allowed to enter the venue. Those people who have a body temperature of 37.5C or higher, then that person will not be allowed to enter the premises of the venue under any circumstances whatsoever. If a person has developed COVID-19 symptoms like fever or cold will also not be allowed to enter the venue.
3. Japan Olympics Number of spectators allowed
The Organizing Committee have decided that only 50% capacity of the venues would be used, which means, that only 10,000 spectators would be allowed. If the COVID-19 situation in the country worsens before the games begin, there is also a possibility that the games would be held behind the doors.
Even though many athletes from all around the world have started coming to Tokyo this month and they have also started holding their training camps, the Organizing Committee is still having a hard time in influencing the people to show their support of holding Olympics amidst a pandemic year.
Why are people not in favor of the Olympics being conducted in Japan?
The Japanese health experts have warned that if the Olympics are held in Japan, it could lead to a possible resurgence of the virus in the country. According to a survey by the Kyodo news, approximately 86% people in the country are worried about the increase in COVID-19 cases.
Seiko Hashimoto, who is the President of the Organizing Committee, had put a ban on the foreign spectators coming to Tokyo to watch the games in March has revealed that the most difficult part for the preparations of the games was putting a cap on the number of spectators allowed in a venue.
There are a number of challenges that the Organizing Committee has faced ever since the Olympics and Paralympics were postponed due to the pandemic last year, such as, deciding venues, forming anti-virus measures and informing the people that how it was safe to hold the games even during a pandemic.
Tokyo Olympics 2021 Schedule
The first competition of the Olympics would be held between Japanese and Australian softball teams on July 21. The event will be held in northeastern prefecture of Fukushima. And the athletes village for the players will open from July 13.
A total of 11,000 athletes are expected to participate in the event. The Tokyo Olympics 2021 will consist of 33 games. And the Olympics will end on August 8. To control the spread of the virus, the players would be kept in a “bubble” and they won’t be allowed to interact with local people or visit places which are located outside their venues.
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