#Tokyo2020: Overseas fans are barred from the Olympics

Team GB athletes will be without the support of their own fans and families at this summer’s Olympics after overseas spectators were barred from attending the Tokyo Games.

The much-expected decision to ban foreign supporters was finally made by organisers on Saturday because it was ‘highly unlikely’ entry to Japan could be guaranteed for visitors amid the ‘very challenging’ current Covid-19 situation. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said he was ‘truly sorry’ but that the ‘first principle is safety’. Around one million tickets were understood to have been sold to spectators from outside Japan, with about 3000 expected to travel from Britain. They will now be offered refunds in what is a major financial hit to the organising committee, who expected income of £577million from overall ticket sales. 

Organisers remain confident domestic spectators will be able to attend the Olympics and Paralympics, but a decision on how many will be allowed into each venue will not be taken until next month.