No booze, no autographs: Tokyo 2020 unveils spectator’s riot act

As teams and athletes continue to get must obey rules ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, the spectators have not been left out as they got the riot act Wednesday.

No alcohol, no hugs, no cheers and no autographs are part of the tough rules they must comply with if they hope to be part of the show just one month to the opening ceremony.

Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto warned festivities “will have to be suppressed” to keep the Games safe, and conceded that organisers will need to be “creative” to stoke a party atmosphere.

Games chiefs decided on Monday to allow up to 10,000 spectators into competition venues, but Hashimoto warned them not to expect the kind of festival mood currently being enjoyed by football fans at Euro 2020.

“In Europe, the venues are filled with celebration,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we may not be able to do the same.”

Spectators will need to clear several antivirus requirements, including temperature checks and mask-wearing, just to get into venues — with no refunds available for those who can’t.

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Once inside, they are forbidden from cheering or “making direct contact with other spectators” and will be asked to go straight home after events end.

Asking athletes for autographs or “expressing verbal support” is also a no-no, as is waving a towel or “any form of cheering that could create a crowd”.

“The festive mood will have to be suppressed that has become a major challenge,” Hashimoto told reporters.

“People can feel joy in their hearts, but they can’t be loud and they have to avoid crowds,” she added.

With the July 23 opening ceremony nearing, organisers are scrambling to finalise preparations and win over a skeptical public, pledging the Games will be safe for locals and participants.