Beijing Olympics will allow spectators, IOC says

After an unprecedented Olympics of empty stands in Tokyo, spectators will return for the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.

Spectators from mainland China will be allowed to attend both the Olympics and Paralympics, the International Olympic Committee announced Wednesday.

In a release, the IOC said "tickets will be sold exclusively to spectators residing in China's mainland, who meet the requirements of the COVID-19 countermeasures."

The IOC said those specific countermeasures for spectators as well as details of ticketing arrangements are still being determined. 

"This will facilitate the growth of winter sports in China by giving those spectators a first-hand Olympic and Paralympic experience of elite winter sports, as well as bringing a favourable atmosphere to the venues," the IOC said in its release. "However, all parties feel for the athletes and the spectators from around the world, knowing that the restriction on spectators from outside mainland China had to be put in place in order to ensure the safe holding of the Games this winter."

This marks the second straight Olympics and Paralympics international spectators will not be allowed to attend after the Tokyo Olympics were held without any spectators — international or domestic — this past summer.

The IOC also announced restrictions for athletes and support staff as well as other attendees at the Games, including a "closed-loop" system that will effectively serve as a bubble, as seen in other sports organizations during the pandemic.