Olympics-Tokyo Games officials bet on technology to make up for lack of fans

FILE PHOTO: A police officer wearing a face mask stands near the entrance of the Main Press Centre, ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, July 19, 2021. REUTERS/Phil Noble

TOKYO (Reuters) - The atmosphere at Olympics venues in Tokyo is eerie as the screams, shouts and cries of joy from athletes bounce off empty seats, with spectators banned from events.

The absence of fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major blow, and even digital technology cannot fully replace the lack of atmosphere in the competitions.