Tens of thousands of people flocked to a cauldron with the Olympic flame in northeastern Japan over the weekend despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
The flame arrived in Japan to a scaled-down welcoming ceremony on Friday as doubts grew over whether the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will go ahead on schedule as the deadly virus causes chaos around the world.
The pandemic has already shredded the global sports calendar, with top sports leagues suspended and major tournaments postponed.
More than 50,000 people on Saturday queued to watch the flame displayed at Sendai station in Miyagi, chosen as part of the “Recovery Olympics” to showcase the region’s revival after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown.
Some had to stay in a 500-metre (1,650-foot) queue for several hours, local media said.
Many of them wore masks as they took pictures with the cherry blossom-shaped cauldron.
“I queued for three hours but watching the Olympic flame was greatly encouraging,” a 70-year-old woman told public broadcaster NHK.
But organisers, concerned about the bigger-than-expected gathering, have warned the viewing event could be suspended if a crowd becomes “extremely dense”, local media reported.
The nationwide torch relay begins on March 26, starting from the J-Village sports complex in Fukushima that was used as a base for workers during the 2011 nuclear disaster.
But organisers have been forced to scale back the relay, closing daily ceremonies to the public and urging spectators to “avoid forming crowds” along the route.
More Stories
Dyche Calls For Refocus As Everton Stay Up
Aston Villa’s Elated Emery Dreaming Of European Nights
Smith Fails To Light Leicester Fire As Foxes Go Down
Verstappen Wins In Monaco As Perez Draws A Blank
Sabalenka Powers Into French Second Round In Win Marred By Jeers
F1 Teams Analyse Crane Photos For Secrets Of Red Bull Floor
Luton Complete Fairytale Rise From Dark Days Of Fifth Tier To Premier League
Ruud Banking On French Open Experience For Deep Run After ‘Up And Down’ Season
Olympic Champion Crouser Shatters Own Shot Put World Record
Mercedes Fear ‘Circus’ Crane Operator Exposed Car Secrets
Bayern Sack CEO Kahn, Sports Director Salihamidzic After Title Win-Club
Munster Win URC Championship With Late Try To Beat Holders Stormers