Overseas spectators may have been barred from attending Tokyo Olympics 2021 over virus fears, however, the organisers have assured that the Japanese fans will “cheer for all athletes”.

Games sports director Mikako Kotani said that the absence of overseas fans will be a “loss in terms of harmony and diversity” but said that Japanese spectators can make up for it by supporting athletes of all nationalities.

“I want to make sure the athletes don’t feel that it’s only Japanese fans in the venues,” she said, AFP reported. 

“Japanese people hold fair play and hospitality very dear, and we will root for all athletes equally. It might look like everyone is Japanese, but we want to raise the awareness of Japanese fans so that it feels like Tokyo is the whole world,” she added. 

This will be the first-ever Olympics without overseas spectators, with organisers calling the decision disappointing but “unavoidable” as they try to hold the event safely during the pandemic.