Coronavirus: Olympic torch passing in Greece will only be available to watch via live stream

Tradition has been affected by the spread of the disease

The organising committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games announced steps on Tuesday to stem the spread of the coronavirus along the torch relay route, including cancelling some events and restricting public access to others.

Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) supported the decision of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) in Greece – the country of the Games’ origins – to cancel their leg of the relay, though the handing over of the torch will still go ahead with restrictions on 19 March.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the HOC said: “The handover ceremony will take place in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou and of a small delegation of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee.

“There will be a dance of the priestesses that will not exceed the number of 10, and a torch relay of two Greek torchbearers and two Japanese torchbearers that will take place inside the Panathenaic Stadium.

“The Panathenaic Stadium will be closed to the public.”

The HOC also said that live streams from Greek and Japanese broadcasters, as well as the Olympic Channel, would be available to use to watch the handing over of the torch.

The Olympics are set to begin on 24 July, though the spread of Covi-19 has threatened proceedings.

Reuters contributed to this report