The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch lighting
ceremony in ancient Olympia will be the first in more than 35 years to be held
without spectators after organizers on Monday introduced tighter measures to
protect against the coronavirus.
This is the first time since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
that the ceremony will be held without any spectators lounging on the grassy
slopes of the ancient stadium in the tiny Peloponesian hamlet. The ceremony —
held both for summer and winter Games — usually attracts several thousand
spectators, including Greeks and foreign visitors.
“The lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame will be done
without the presence of spectators and only 100 invited and accredited guests,”
the Greek Olympic Committee said in a statement.
“The dress rehearsal on March 11 will
be closed to spectators and media.”
The Olympic torch will be lit in Olympia at a
scaled-down ceremony on March 12 before a seven-day relay that culminates with
a handover ceremony in Greece on March 19.
