Organisers of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have announced ticket refund applications will open next month for those who are unable to attend after the event was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19.
According to Japanese news agency Kyodo, applications will open in November and Paralympic refund bids will begin in December.
The 2020 Olympics, which was initially due to kick off in July and is now scheduled to start July 23, 2021, has already shifted around 4.48 million tickets, in addition to the 970,000 sold for the Paralympics.
Tickets for the delayed Games are valid for the rescheduled
events next year in the Japanese capital.
A group comprising the organising committee and local and national government officials is discussing potential COVID-19 measures ahead of next year’s Olympics, including capacity numbers. A mid-term report will be delivered by the commission in December. The group is also exploring how the measures can be used at other sporting events.
Specific details on how many fans will be permitted at Tokyo 2020 venues next year are yet to be finalised.
The Paralympics is scheduled to take place just over two weeks after the conclusion of the Olympics, with a planned start date of August 24, 2021.
Last week, the organising committee concluded three days of security tests and COVID-19 countermeasures as it looks to ensure that the rescheduled Games can go ahead safely amid the ongoing difficulties caused by the pandemic.
The tests were carried out at Tokyo Big Sight, which will house the International Broadcasting Centre and Main Press Centre during the Games.
One of the measures tested was the use of a thermal sticker, which guests can tape on to their wrists before having their baggage checked when entering venues. The sticker is able to determine skin temperature even through clothing, and would allow security personnel to check guests while maintaining a safe distance.
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