Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have agreed to hold the Games without spectators, after Japan declared a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital that will run throughout the event. The widely-expected move was made following talks between the government, Tokyo organisers and Olympic and Paralympic representatives. The bill is split three ways among the organisers, Tokyo Metropolitan government and Japan's central government, with the host city covering the biggest chunk. 'If the (Olympic Games) trigger the spread of infections and necessitate another emergency declaration, then the economic loss would be much greater,' Kiuchi said. Ticket revenues had initially been expected at about 90 billion yen ($815 million, £591m) but will now drop to virtually nothing.

Source: Daily Mail July 08, 2021 13:34 UTC