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Tokyo 2020 spectators capped at 10,000 per venue

Olympics organizers will cap the number of spectators for each 2020 Tokyo Games venue at 10,000 - just days after experts said hosting the event without fans was the "least risky" option.

Now, those who do attend won't be allowed to shout or cheer on their favorite athletes.

Organizers said in a statement that the limit for the sporting event, scheduled to begin on July 23rd "will be set at 50% of venue capacity, up to a maximum of 10,000 people."

That limit could be further reduced depending on the provisions of anti-infection measures.

Spectators will have to wear masks and will be asked to travel directly to venues and then return straight home.

Overseas fans have already been banned from attending the Games.

The cap followed five-way talks among Tokyo 2020 organizers, Japanese and Tokyo government officials, and the International Olympic and Paralympic panels.

Before the meeting, IOC President Thomas Bach said the vaccination rate for athletes and officials residing in the Olympic village was now "well over 80%".

Japan has largely avoided explosive coronavirus outbreaks that have devastated other countries.

But its vaccine roll-out has been slow and its medical system has been pushed to its limits in some areas.

The Japanese public is still largely opposed to the Games being held this summer, according to local polls.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said he would not rule out holding the Olympics without spectators - if the capital was under a COVID-19 state of emergency.