More Sports More Sports IOC expecting 6,000 athletes at Olympic opening ceremony The IOC plans to scale back the opening ceremony because athletes will not be allowed to arrive at the Olympic Village, which can accommodate 18,000 people Reuters TOKYO 18 January, 2021 11:34 IST The latest surge in coronavirus infections in Japan and elsewhere has cast fresh doubts over the future of the Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed from last year. - AP Reuters TOKYO 18 January, 2021 11:34 IST The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expects only 6,000 athletes to participate in the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Summer Games, more than half of initial estimates, as organizers implement measures to guard against coronavirus infections.The IOC plans to scale back the ceremony because athletes will not be allowed to arrive at the Olympic Village, which can accommodate 18,000 people, more than five days before they compete and must depart within two days after their event finishes, the paper reported citing unidentified sources. Former IOC vice president says UN could rule on Tokyo Games Around 11,000 athletes from 200 countries had initially been expected at the opening ceremony, the Yomiuri said.The latest surge in coronavirus infections in Japan and elsewhere has cast fresh doubts over the future of the Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed from last year. Any cancellation, or scaled back event could impose a financial burden on the IOC because it relies on income from selling television rights for the major sporting event. Subscribe to our daily newsletter Get your daily dose of Sportstar with handpicked stories delivered right to your inbox! SUBSCRIBE Please enter a valid email address.