Athletes disappointed by Tokyo fan ban but say show must go on

Torchbearers practice torch kiss before a lighting ceremony, after their relay on a public road was cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, in Tokyo

Sports bodies and athletes reacted with disappointment to the news there will be no spectators at the Tokyo Olympics but downplayed the potential impact on performances and said it was important that the global sporting showpiece went ahead. Organisers announced the decision to ban fans from Tokyo venues on Thursday as a resurgent novel coronavirus forced Japan to declare a state of emergency in the capital that will run throughout the Games. American 100 metres hurdles world record holder Kendra Harrison said not having fans present would make little difference in her bid to win a first Olympic medal. ‘In the midst of just being lined up with the best in the world, you are not really worried about who is in the stands,’ Harrison told Kentucky's Spectrum News 1.