Jul 09 (sky.com) - This summer's Tokyo Olympics will go ahead without spectators after a surge in coronavirus cases, organisers have announced.
The widely expected move was made following talks between the government, Tokyo organisers and Olympic and Paralympic representatives.
Japan has now declared a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital that will run throughout the event.
Overseas fans had already been barred from attending the Games.
Public viewings of the Games have been cancelled and restaurants will be asked to stop serving alcohol under the state of emergency.
Seiko Hashimoto, president of this year's Games, said the situation was "regrettable" and apologised to those who had bought tickets.
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the move is essential to prevent Tokyo, where the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant was spreading, from becoming the source of another wave of infections.
