Overseas spectators will not be allowed at this summer’s Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games, it has been reported.

The games have already been postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and organisers were hopeful international visitors would be able to attend.

However the Japanese government has said welcoming fans from abroad would not be possible given public concern about the coronavirus and the spread of variants from other countries, the Kyodo news agency said.

The opening ceremony of the torch relay would also be held without spectators, the agency added.

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto had said she wanted a decision on whether to let in overseas spectators before the start of the torch relay on 25 March.

“We would really like people from around the world to come to a full stadium, but unless we are prepared to accept them and the medical situation in Japan is perfect, it will cause a great deal of trouble also to visitors from overseas,” Ms Hashimoto told reporters last week.

The Olympics are being held from 23 July to 8 Aug and the Paralympics from 25 August to 5 September.

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