Japan considers ban on all Olympic spectators

Organisers have already banned overseas spectators and set a cap on domestic spectators at 50% of capacity

A German athlete, wearing face mask, walks past the Olympic rings display on their arrival at Haneda airport in Tokyo. Picture: Kyodo News via AP

Japan is considering banning all spectators from the Olympic Games, several sources said on Wednesday, as officials weigh extending coronavirus restrictions to contain infections just over two weeks before the Games begin.

Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators at the Olympics would be the least risky option amid widespread public concern about the risk the Games will fuel new surges of infections.