Tokyo Olympics 2020: Fans Banned from Crowding at the Marathon Routes over Covid Fears
The Olympic organizers have asked members of the public not to line the route of the marathon and race walk events at the Tokyo 2020 Games over fears that crowds could spread the Covid-19 virus.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
The two events will take place in Sapporo, which still has emergency Covid-19 measures in place.
According to the organizers, they said "to reduce the risk of infection" they would restrict "the movement of members of the public".
The Olympic Games were delayed by a year because of the pandemic, start on 23 July.
The event organizers said they had met police and local government officials to discuss the arrangements for the race walk events, which will take place on 6 August, and the women's and men's marathons, which take place over the following two days.
In a statement, the organizers added they will continue to work with local authorities "to ensure a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games for all participants and for the citizens of Sapporo and Hokkaido".
The delayed Tokyo Olympic Games were already set to happen without the presence of international fans because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Local spectators were allowed to attend, with up to 10,000 Japanese fans permitted to watch events, providing crowds do not exceed 50% of a venue's capacity.
