Tokyo Gearing Up Olympic Preparations
In exactly one month, the world's top athletes will celebrate the opening of the Tokyo Games. But before that happens, Olympic organizers have a lot of work to do.
They have just announced the latest guidelines for keeping fans, athletes -- and residents -- safe from the coronavirus.
The IOC's point man for the games visited the gymnastics venue on Wednesday to see those measures in action. John Coates will tour more areas in the coming days.
Domestic ticket holders also got a glimpse of how things will work for them. They will be able to cheer -- quietly -- from stands no more than half full.
New guidelines mean they must wear masks at all times and tone down celebrations. That means no hugs, no high fives and no alcohol. After events, they are urged to go straight home.
Governors of neighboring prefectures say any competitions held in their areas after 9 p.m. should not allow spectators.
Still, more than 80,000 spectators could gather in Tokyo's waterfront area over the course of a single day.
A man in western Japan bought four tickets for a men's basketball match. But now he is hesitant about traveling to the games with his family.
Athletes gearing up to compete in the games are trying to refocus after a tumultuous one-year postponement.
Table tennis player Ishikawa Kasumi said, "The Olympics are likely to be held under challenging circumstances. But I want to stand on the court and play to the best of my ability. I want to make the next month count."
Foreign athletes are continuing to arrive in Japan -- where they are subject to strict antivirus measures.
A second member of the Olympic team from Uganda has been confirmed infected after testing negative at the airport on Sunday.
The entire group has been in quarantine since a member of the delegation tested positive upon arrival in Japan.