Host city Tokyo bans Olympic spectators amid COVID-19 emergency

A social distancing sign is seen in front of a police officer before the arrival of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at Haneda Airport ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan July 8, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Olympics will take place without spectators in host city Tokyo, organisers said on Thursday, as a resurgent coronavirus forced Japan to declare a state of emergency in the capital that will run throughout the Games.

The move marked a sharp turnabout from as recently as last week, when some officials were still insisting they could organise the Games safely with some fans. It all but strips the global sporting showpiece, which is due to start on July 23 and run until Aug. 8, of its last vestiges of pomp and public spectacle.