APThe delayed and pandemic-responsible Tokyo Olympics will be a TV-only event, with very few spectators allowed. They open in less than two weeks.Japan's Asahi newspaper reported Tuesday that the opening ceremony at 68,000-seat National Stadium will be restricted to VIP guests. In 17 days, the Olympics will open.According to the newspaper, large venues will likely not have spectators. Some spectators are allowed at smaller venues.After a meeting on Thursday, Tokyo organizers and International Olympic Committee are expected announce the policy.They announced two weeks ago that they could fill venues up to 50% with a maximum of 10,000 people. However, the rising number of viruses in Tokyo is forcing them to reconsider.COVID-19 Vaccine Commonly Asked Questions View More How does a vaccine function? The vaccine mimics a natural infection. A vaccine induces an immune response that protects people against future COVID-19 infections. It also builds herd immunity quickly to end the pandemic. A vaccine induces immunity in a sufficient number of people to prevent the spread of a disease from person-to-person. Good news is that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was relatively stable which makes it more likely that a vaccine will be developed. There are many vaccines. There are four main types of vaccines. One is a vaccine that is based on the entire virus. Two is a vaccine that is based on a virus vector. Three are nucleic-acid vaccines with genetic material such as DNA and RNA of the antigens. Four are protein subunit vaccines. These vaccines contain the recombinant SARS-COV-2 proteins along an adjuvant (booster). How long does it take for a vaccine to be developed? The process of developing a vaccine is complex and long. Vaccines are not given to patients with a specific disease, but are administered to healthy people as well as to vulnerable groups such children and pregnant women. It is mandatory to undergo rigorous testing. Although five years is the fastest time to develop a vaccine, it often takes twice as long or more. See moreThe IOC makes almost 75% of its income through TV rights and will still earn $3 billion to $4Billion from a TV-only event.Fans from overseas were expelled months ago.Top government medical advisor Dr. Shigeru Omi has stated that the safest Olympics would not have spectators. He said that it was unusual to host the Olympics in a time of pandemic.Asahi stated that the no-spectators policy could be applied to events after 9 p.m., and larger venues with more than 5,000 capacity.VIPS, sponsors, and other dignitaries are allowed to attend the ceremony. However, the newspaper suggested that these numbers could be decreased. This special category is estimated to include approximately 10,000 people, according to the newspaper.Toshiro Muto, chief executive of the organizing committee, stated two weeks ago that VIPs will be allowed into venues above and beyond any spectator limit and would be classified as organizers rather than spectators.The IOC has many stakeholders. Key clients and people who are related to them. Muto stated that those individuals are considered organizers of the games, and not spectators.Yoshiro Mori (the former president of the organizing board) stated that he suggested the Olympics without spectators to other members of the Liberal Democratic Party.He said that I had suggested we develop plans that were based on no spectators.After being criticized for inappropriate comments made about women, Mori, a former prime Minister, had to resign as president of the organizing board five months prior.Tokyo will host approximately 11,000 Olympic athletes, 4400 Paralympians, as well as tens to thousands of broadcasters, coaches, administrators, and media.The IOC President Thomas Bach arrives to Tokyo on Thursday and the decision about spectators could be made on the same day. Bach will be self-isolated for three days at a Tokyo five-star hotel.On Tuesday, the Tokyo organizing committee announced that they will no longer allow roadside viewing of the marathons or race walks in the northern city Sapporo. Because of Tokyo's hot, humid summers, the events were moved to Sapporo two years ago. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike strongly opposed the decision of Bach and IOC.It was disappointing for those who had hoped that they could cheer on the top athletes from around the world, Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki said.It is expected that the government will extend a quasi-state emergency in Tokyo this week. These measures expire on Sunday.Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 593 coronavirus new cases Tuesday. This is the 17th consecutive day of cases being higher than one week ago. The capital reported 716 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, their highest number in five weeks.On Tuesday, the Tokyo government confirmed that the Olympic torch relay will be removed from the streets of Tokyo for all legs. These legs were scheduled to start on Friday. Events on small islands near the Tokyo mainland are an exception.Since its inception in March, from northeastern Japan, the relay has been repeatedly rescheduled and rerouted. It is now kept secret in parks, away from the public. Toyota and Coca-Cola are major sponsors of the event. After the delay, there were suggestions that it should be cancelled. However, these ideas were quickly rejected.
