TOKYO. – With 30 days to go until the start of an Olympic Games dogged by the coronavirus pandemic and by controversy, Tokyo Olympics organizers decided on Wednesday against selling alcohol at venues while defending plans to allow thousands of spectators.
Media reports that organizers were considering allowing alcohol consumption in Olympics venues provoked a public outcry earlier this week, with the hashtag “cancel the Olympic Games” garnering tens of thousands of tweets.
“Following experts’ advice, the organizing committee decided against selling and drinking alcohol drinks at the venues so as to prevent spread of infections,” Tokyo Olympics President Seiko Hashimoto told reporters, adding that sponsor Asahi Breweries (2502.T) agreed with the decision to ban alcohol sales.
Alcohol sales have been restricted in and around Tokyo after health officials warned drinking would encourage close contact, loud speaking and mingling in bars that could help spread the virus.
Earlier, Hashimoto defended the organizers’ decision to allow spectators into Olympic venues.
Japanese medical experts said last Friday that banning spectators was the least risky option but also included in their report recommendations on how to host the Games if spectators were admitted.
Organizers said on Monday up to 10,000 domestic spectators would be allowed into venues. Foreign visitors are banned.
