Japan may be forced into U-turn over Olympics crowds

Plans to allow 10,000 locals into events at risk with Tokyo's Covid restrictions unlikely to be lifted

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Japan could be forced to reverse a decision to allow up to 10,000 local sports fans to attend events at this summer's Olympics, as a rebound in coronavirus cases has made it less likely that restrictions in place in Tokyo can be lifted, as planned, before the Games begin.

The Tokyo 2020 organising committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced last month that attendances would be capped at 50% of a venue's capacity, or up to 10,000 spectators. They had already decided not to allow overseas visitors to attend.