Masks and distancing required for roadside spectators during torch relay

FILE – Japanese actress Satomi Ishihara waves while holding an Olympic torch during a rehearsal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch relay in Tokyo on February 15, 2020. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) /

TOKYO – Tokyo Olympic organizers on Tuesday called on roadside spectators at the torch relay to wear masks and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

They also said torch relay staff must test negative for the coronavirus before being sent from Tokyo.

The 121-day torch relay is set to begin on March 25 at the J-Village training center in Fukushima, launching the build-up towards the July 23 start of the Games, postponed from 2020 because of the coronavirus.

“People are fine to watch from the side of the road but when they do so we would like them to practice distancing and avoid crowds,” Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto told a news conference.

“We want to ensure a safe torch relay not only for the runners, but for the people in the local communities who are kind enough to host it,” he said.

Organizers have the unprecedented task of planning the world’s biggest multi-sport event during a pandemic. They face tough decisions over whether to allow in overseas fans and how many spectators in general to let into venues.

The “Grand Start” ceremony and first section of the torch relay on day one will not be open to the public as organizers reduce the number of participants and simplify the program.

Underscoring the complications of planning for this year’s Games, Japanese football player Nahomi Kawasumi said she will not take part in the torch relay after deciding to withdraw from the event last year due to the pandemic.

Kawasumi, who plays for Sky Blue FC in U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer, had said just before the Games were postponed last year that she was withdrawing due to fears she could contract the virus or infect others.

“Again, I will decline to be a torch relay runner,” Kawasumi tweeted on Monday.

“I made this decision because the infectious disease problem has not yet been resolved and I live in the United States,” which has the world’s highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths.

The Olympics will be held from July 23 to Aug. 8 and the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.