2020 Tokyo Olympics: Ticket Refunds Announced
The organizing committee of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics announced on Friday the refund options for ticket holders who cannot attend the postponed Games in the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic.
The organizers also promised further refunds if health measures require limiting the number of spectators at the event.
The coronavirus forced a one-year postponement of the Games in March, causing significant challenges, especially regarding ticketing.
"For those who possess tickets and reside in Japan, Tokyo 2020 will accept ticket refund requests between November 10 and November 30 for Olympic tickets, and between December 1 and December 21 for Paralympic tickets," according to a statement.
"For people residing outside of Japan who purchased tickets through authorized ticket distributors," each distributor will have its "own process" for refunds, the committee added.
In July, the Tokyo 2020 organizers confirmed that all tickets already purchased would remain valid for the corresponding events next year.
The Olympics are scheduled from July 23 to August 8, 2021, and the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.
However, there are still doubts about whether the Games will take place and the presence of spectators, whether it will be full, partial, or none at all.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach warned in an interview this week with South Korean television channel SBS that having full stadiums "may not be possible."
"If we are not able to offer the possibility to attend the Games due to COVID-19, we will offer an additional possibility to request a refund," the organizing committee stated.
Approximately 4.5 million tickets have already been sold for the Olympic Games, and nearly one million for the Paralympics, according to the organizers.
However, they have not specified the number of tickets sold in Japan compared to overseas, merely noting that foreign spectators accounted for 10% to 20% of the audience at previous Games.
The organizers do not consider the scenario of canceling the Games or a situation with zero spectators, a committee spokesperson told the press.
However, last-minute refunds are considered, for example, if an event is canceled during the Games because an athlete contracts the virus, they explained. (D)