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Tokyo spectator ban leaves Olympic athletes perplexed

People take selfies in front of an Olympic Rings monument near the National Stadium, the main venue of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 19, 2021. REUTERS

Whether it is sumo, or domestic basketball or baseball matches, Japanese fans have been filling the arenas in recent days leaving Olympic athletes wondering why they will be competing in front of empty stands at the Tokyo Games.

Japanese organisers have decided to ban spectators from venues of the Olympics, which start this week, in a bid to stem an increase of COVID-19 infections, with the capital in a state of emergency until Aug. 22.

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