Reuters
Torches are pictured during a lighting ceremony after the torch relay on a public road was cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay celebration in Tokyo, Japan, July 9, 2021. REUTERS/Naoki Ogura
Reuters
Torches are pictured during a lighting ceremony after the torch relay on a public road was cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay celebration in Tokyo, Japan, July 9, 2021. REUTERS/Naoki Ogura
Tokyo Olympics 2021 have been the most controversial games in the Olympics history. Olympic fans have been eagerly waiting for the mega-quadrennial games. But, because of the pandemic spectators are heartbroken as there will be a 100% spectator ban on many events.
Japan has established a ban on foreign as well as domestic spectators. While it affected every spectator, Kazunori Takishima’s dream is shattered. Tokyo resident had bought tickets worth USD 40,000 to establish his world record.
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Takishima aimed at making a world record by attending 134 matches
Olympic fan and Tokyo resident has attended 106 ticketed Olympic matches to date. His journey as an Olympic fan started in the 2006 Winter Olympics. Inspired and astonished by the Olympians he has missed none Olympic games since then.
Attending so many matches has not come easy for the fan as he even collapsed in the Rio Olympics 2016 post-match, due to lack of sleep. But watching these athletes hustle and perform was inspiring for Takishima.
At the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, in his own country, he wanted to attend 28 events in 17 days. Currently, the Guinness world record is at 128 matches. He even had discussed with Guinness to register his record. However, the spectator ban has put his dream on hold.
Takishima had spent around 4 million yen on 100 tickets with savings and help from friends and family. Albeit, he will get refunded for the tickets, losing the money didn’t affect him, more than missing the games.
Spectators will be absent from Olympic venues in Tokyo because of a virus state of emergency, Japan's Olympic minister announced Thursday, meaning the Games will happen mostly behind closed doors. pic.twitter.com/OOdm1ZemJI
— The Field (@thefield_in) July 8, 2021
State Emergency established two weeks before Tokyo Olympics 2021
The most controversial decision for Tokyo Olympics was the inclusion of spectators. While Japan had banned foreign spectators now even the domestic spectators have been banned in most events.
Japan saw a spike in the COVID cases, the highest since May 2021. The government imposed a state of emergency to control the cases.
Olympic fan Kazunori Takishima will aim for the next Olympics to make his record. Takishima will now watch the opening ceremony on his phone outside the stadium the closest he can get to the games.
Read More: BREAKING: Emergency declared in Japan 2 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics 2021
