Fans will not be filling the arenas but the host nation still expects a taste of glory on Japanese soil after their Rio bonanza
The decision to ban spectators from attending all but a handful of Tokyo 2020 events amid a surge of Covid-19 cases in the host city has stripped Japanese athletes of the psychological advantage of performing in front of home crowds.
It is no surprise, then, that Japan’s Olympic committee – like those in other countries – is focusing on athlete safety instead of formal medal targets, despite the country coming off its best-ever haul of 41 medals at Rio.
Related: French Open’s response to Naomi Osaka is a shameful moment for tennis | Tumaini Carayol
Related: Hideki Matsuyama holds nerve to become Masters champion