Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

No spectators to attend Tokyo Olympic Games torch lighting ceremony

No spectators to attend Tokyo Olympic Games torch lighting ceremony
March 10, 2020

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch lighting ceremony in Greece will be held without spectators after for the first time in more 35 years.

The move by Greece’s Olympic Committee has been introduced as part of increased measures to protect against the coronavirus.

Spectators would be excluded from both the dress rehearsal at the ancient site of Olympia and the widely broadcast ceremony. The ceremony usually attracts several thousand spectators.

In a statement, the Greek Olympic Committee advised "the lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame will be done without the presence of spectators and only 100 invited and accredited guests.

“The dress rehearsal on March 11 will be closed to spectators and media.”

The number of people inside the ancient stadium will also be reduced with only a few dozen representatives of the Tokyo Games from a group of about 150 allowed access to the ceremony.

Olympia Mayor Giorgos Georgiopoulos said in a letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach "the danger of staging the torch lighting with only a handful of spectators, limited number of officials and delegations, and under a cloud of fear and concern will damage the greatness and prestige of this event.

“With a sense of responsibility, the municipal authority, all parties of the city council of Ancient Olympia, in order to secure the global radiance of the event asks the IOC which has the exclusive responsibility of organizing it to consider the possibility of moving the torch lighting ceremony to May of this year.”

Related Articles

4th March 2020 - Coronavirus fears sees AFL cancel Shanghai fixture

3rd March 2020 - Tokyo Olympics organisers announce interactive mobile app as innovation challenge winner

26th February 2020 - Top IOC member speculates Coronavirus threatens delivery of Tokyo Olympics

12th February 2020 - Coronavirus continues to impact China’s sports events

10th February 2020 - Tokyo Olympic organisers emphasise Games will go ahead despite coronavirus

3rd February 2020 - Indoor arena for 2020 Olympics and Paralympics opened in Tokyo

27th January 2020 - Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games appoints Technogym as official fitness equipment supplier

15th January 2020 - International Olympic Committee deliver guidelines on political protests

6th January 2020 - Chinese organisers move forward with 2022 Winter Olympics venues

10th December 2019 - World Anti-Doping Agency bans Russia from Tokyo Olympics and 2022 FIFA World Cup

3rd December 2019 - Completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium handed over to Japan Sport Council

13th November 2019 - Inaugural world Skateboarding Summit outlines pre 2020 Olympic plans

20th August 2019 - Heat issues impact Tokyo Olympic test events


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

BODY BIKE APAC

BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 
 

AUSTRALIAN WATERSLIDES AND LEISURE

A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 

@leisure Planners

@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…

read more

Consultants

 
 

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business