Fans At Tokyo Olympics Only Allowed To Clap Not Cheer

'Dotun Akintomide
Writer

Ad

Marwa, A Man of Uncommon Grace at 72

By Femi Babafemi I have had the privilege of knowing Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) for about 30 years. As a young reporter, I observed from a working distance the metamorphosis of a military administrator who was unlike any other—an enigma committed as much to his work as to becoming a paragon of excellence…

Thailand’s former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to Serve One-year Prison Term For Previous Convictions

Thailand’s Supreme Court said former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison term for previous convictions. The court was investigating whether officials had mishandled his return to Thailand in 2023 to begin serving the sentences. Following his return to Thailand after more than a decade of living in self-exile, Thaksin was sent to…

Cuts to US oil jobs and spending threaten output growth

The U.S. oil industry has laid off thousands of workers and cut billions in spending due to lower oil prices and the biggest consolidation in a generation, in what could mark the end of the rapid output growth that made the U.S. the world's top producer. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its…

Ad

High-fiving, autograph-hunting and towel-waving will all be off-limits to spectators at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

A code of conduct was published by the local organising committee on Wednesday.

This was after it was confirmed this week that Games venues could be 50 per cent full, up to a maximum of 10,000 people.

On Monday, organisers said spectators would be asked to refrain from shouting or talking loudly and to avoid any stop-offs on their way to or from Games venues.

Now further guidelines designed to limit the spread of coronavirus have been issued.

One section entitled “Watching the Games competition and cheering the athletes” encourages spectators to clap rather than cheer.

It also contains an image of a trumpet crossed out above the words “no noise-makers”.

They are also encouraged to bring a towel or handkerchief with them to clean their hands on, but waving that towel or other items to cheer on athletes is forbidden.

The act of high-fiving other spectators who are not family members or venue staff is not encouraged.

Spectators are told not to seek autographs or to express verbal support for athletes.

Alcohol will not be available for purchase at the venues, and nor can it be brought in, the guidance stated.

Spectators are asked to wear face coverings throughout their visit to a venue, but they are advised to bear in mind their physical condition concerning heatstroke.

The guidelines acknowledge however that wearing a mask could increase the risk.

Other documents from the organisers set out that there were 3.63 million tickets currently owned, and that the number would have to reduce by 910,000 to 2.72 million.

A lottery is being used to bring the figure down.

Already, a decision to bar overseas spectators was taken in April.

Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto said on Monday that dignitaries such as International Olympic Committee officials and sponsor representatives would be regarded as organisers.

They are therefore not included in the capacity limits.

Children attending events as part of the school’s programme were also exempt from the limits, Muto said.

Nevertheless, he said it was unlikely the overall attendance for the opening ceremony on July 23 would be as high as 20,000, as had been reported.

dpa/NAN

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp