While the experience of the athletes competing on the playing surface will largely be the same this year as it was in previous years, off the field all bets are off, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For example, according to The New York Times, only Japanese fans will be allowed in the stands. Indeed, Tokyo is limiting international Olympics visitors to athletes, officials, and a small number of media personnel. Meanwhile, that puts the international fans who paid in advance for their tickets in quite the uncomfortable position, especially considering that it's likely to be awhile before they get their money back.
Similarly, the athletes themselves will be tested daily but will not have to quarantine. However, the Japanese government is asking everyone, athletes included, to eat takeout meals alone and stay off public transportation, among other efforts, according to a companion New York Times report.
Further, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach noted that officials are prepared to tighten things up even more, if required.
"If the situation should require it, we are also ready to take even stricter measures together," he said.
