TOKYO (Reuters) – The Beijing winter Olympics, which start in less than 200 days, will need spectators to be successful, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday, the day the Tokyo Games kicked off amid empty stands due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We would like to have the international community there,” said Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who heads the IOC’s coordination commission, overseeing preparations for the Beijing Games. “We need very successful Games next year in Beijing. We really need that success for the sake of everybody… for keeping that light of hope really bright and open.”The Beijing Games, set for Feb. 4-20 next year, have yet to launch their ticketing programme, delayed due to the pandemic. There is also concern among the local population that the influx of tens of thousands of Games-related athletes, staff, officials and media could turn the Tokyo Olympics into a super-spreader event.

Source: MetroXpress July 21, 2021 04:18 UTC