Japanese athletes who can take part in the Tokyo Olympic opening and closing ceremonies will be limited to those eligible to stay at the athletes' village around that time, as part of steps to enhance safety amid the coronavirus pandemic, an official familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
Since the games organizers have restricted the duration of stays at the athletes' village to prevent the spread of the virus, only a limited number of Japanese athletes will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony on July 23 and the closing ceremony on Aug. 8, according to the official.
The Japanese Olympic Committee has already informed national sports federations of the policy, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, while concerns persist among medical experts and ordinary citizens over whether the Tokyo Games can be held without risking people's health.