Tokyo 2020 Olympics: will empty stadiums and lack of fans affect athletes?
- Elite athletes do thrive on the excitement whipped up by crowds watching them, so in these pandemic-era Games, how will they feel with no one there?
- Selfie videos, recorded messages and even cardboard cut-outs of spectators may help make up for the lack of a live audience
Former Hong Kong swimming star Karen Lo Cheuk-hang still remembers how she felt when there was no live audience at a local competition she once took part in.
“To be honest, I didn’t mind that, because I am stressed when performing in front of the crowd,” Lo recalled.
Japan had initially expected 7.8 million spectators at the 42 venues hosting events over the 19-day Games, but now the 68,000-seat National Stadium will be empty for both the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Olympics, citing the ban on spectators as part of the reason.
“It’s been my dream to represent Australia at the Olympics,” Kyrgios tweeted. “But I also know myself. The thought of playing in front of empty stadiums just doesn’t sit right with me.”