One of Japan's sporting legends and an executive of the country's Olympic committee said on Friday that the Tokyo Games should be held without spectators to ensure the safety of the public and accused the organizers of using a "double standard."
Japanese Olympic Committee board member Kaori Yamaguchi, an Olympic judo medalist, said the government was "confusing" the public by asking them to stay at home and imposing curbs while putting on the global sports showpiece.
Polls have shown most Japanese oppose holding the games this year, worried about a slow vaccination rollout and the flood of athletes and officials from overseas. Japan has effectively been closed to foreign visitors since the pandemic broke out.