Tokyo 2020 organizers ban alcohol at the Olympics

With just 30-days to go until the Olympics, organizers in Tokyo decided on Wednesday to ban the sale of alcohol at venues.

Tokyo Olympics President Seiko Hashimoto told reporters that the measure would prevent the spread of the coronavirus, adding that Japanese drinks company and sponsor - Asahi Breweries - had backed the decision.

Media reports that organisers were considering allowing alcohol consumption in Olympic venues provoked a public outcry earlier this week.

Hashimoto acknowledged that unease.

"As the Organising Committee wants to hold the Games in a safe and secure manner, it's our responsibility to make it happen. So if our citizens have concerns (over serving alcohol at the Olympics), I think we have to give up on that. That's why we have decided to ban the sale of alcohol."

She also defended the decision to allow up to 10,000 domestic spectators into venues.

Hashimoto said that measure is in line with recommendations from medical experts.

However, many Japanese remain sceptical that even a scaled-back Games will be safe or secure.

Those concerns only rose after a member of the Ugandan delegation who arrived in Japan on the weekend tested positive for the coronavirus.

That's despite having been vaccinated and testing negative for COVID-19 before arrival.

The arduous preparations for the Olympics appear to have also taken their toll on organisers.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike was hospitalised on Tuesday after the metropolitan government said she would take the rest of the week off due to fatigue.