In another setback for the troubled 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyo’s public roads will no longer hold the Olympic torch relay

The Olympic flame began its nationwide relay in March. Since then, the pandemic has plagued the relay with disruptions.

In the latest blow to the Olympic torch relay, Tokyo’s government is taking the event off public roads. This comes as infections continue to rise in Japan’s capital.

The Olympic torch relay was due to reach Tokyo on July 9. But due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, private flame-lighting ceremonies will be replacing it.

Olympic organisers say they “will implement an alternative lighting ceremony format whereby each torchbearer will pass the Olympic flame to the next torchbearer at a ‘torch kiss’ point at the Celebration venues”.

Closed-door Olympics?

With the Games scheduled to start in just over a fortnight, it still remains unclear just how many spectators will be allowed to attend events.

Last month organisers agreed to allow venues to reach 50% of capacity, with up to 10,000 people.

But officials have recently warned that events may need to be held behind closed doors.

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported this week that fans are likely to be unable to attend the opening ceremony on July 23. However, a small number of VIPs and Olympic officials will be allowed to attend.

The newspaper also reports that events at large venues, and ones that take place at night, will be held without spectators.

More should be known on Thursday, when five-way talks involving Tokyo Olympics organisers and government officials take place.