Less than 1000 VIPs to be allowed for Tokyo 2020 Olympics Opening ceremony

Tokyo: The Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony is likely to be attended by less than 1000 VIPs and foreign dignitaries in person, a sharp reduction from the previously decided figure of 10,000 amid rise in Covid-19 cases here, the local media reported on Thursday.

Kyodo News, quoting sources, reported that the organisers have been attempting to cut the number of people physically attending the ceremony at the National Stadium on July 23.

The Games will open in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic even as



efforts are being made to ensure that Japan’s Emperor Naruhito attends the ceremony to declare the event open.

US First lady Jill Biden is also expected to be among the international guests for the ceremony.

The National Stadium can accommodate 68,000 people but the ceremony will be limited to Games’ guests, including IOC representatives and foreign dignitaries.

The Games will be held without spectators in Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama.