As cases of COVID rise, Japan banned fans from the marathon, as chances are that fans may be banned from the Olympics altogether.

Initially the Olympics were to happen last year but were postponed during the coronavirus pandemic. A year forward, 2 weeks before the Olympics take place on 21 July at Sapporo Dome, Miyagi Stadium and Tokyo Stadium respectively. Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency, following the surge of the pandemic. The six week  restrictions will fall into the Olympics date, as fears of a full ban on fans is likely.

Earlier in March this year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Organising Committee banned foreign fans from attending the Olympics. The incoming restrictions are likely to ban local fans from attending as well, fingers crossed.