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British Olympic boss Andy Anson has expressed his ‘sadness and regret’ that the Tokyo Olympics will take place behind closed doors.
It was confirmed on Thursday that Team GB stars will be competing in front of empty stadiums at the Games in two weeks’ time after organisers banned all spectators from attending events in Tokyo because of rising coronavirus cases.
The decision was made on the same day that Team GB announced they were sending 376 athletes to the Olympics, their largest-ever overseas delegation, while UK Sport predicted they would win between 45 to 70 medals.
British Olympics chief Andy Anson admitted he was 'sad' after Japan's decision to ban fans from the Tokyo Games this summer
‘We have a lot of sadness and regret around that decision,’ said BOA chief executive Anson.
‘It is sad when you've been watching the Euros and seeing how exciting live sport can be with fans back in stadiums.
‘Everyone who gets to this level of elite sport would want to compete in front of full cheering crowds. But over the last 18 months the athletes have got used to performing in front of empty stadiums, so it's not going to be a surprise in that regard.
‘They've got to just switch into a different mode so that they can still compete to their best of ability whatever the conditions. What they're doing is still going to be broadcast all around the world and the excitement in people's living rooms will be still very, very real.’
