Banned Fans Find Ways to See Olympic Games
2021-07-31
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1Fans are not permitted into most places where Olympic events are taking place in Tokyo.
2But the Games are still going on.
3Many sports fans have been waiting a long time for the Olympics to return to Japan.
4What are they to do?
5It turns out that Japanese fans are getting creative.
6Recently, one cycling fan climbed a high road to run next to Richard Carapaz of Ecuador during the men's road race.
7Carapaz said he did not mind seeing the fan, who was wearing very little clothing, run with him up the hill.
8Carapaz smiled at the fan and later won the gold medal.
9"It gave us a sensation of somehow coming back to normality, seeing the fans there," Carapaz said later. "I loved it."
10Fans are restricted from entering stadiums and other places where the athletes are competing.
11Police and volunteers are looking out for people who do not have permission to be there.
12Athletes, coaches and reporters are wearing face coverings when they are near other people.
13But some of the events are taking place outdoors on roads and waterways.
14Even during the opening ceremony last week, fans lined the roads on the way to the stadium to cheer for the athletes as they passed in buses.
15For the new event of surfing, which takes place in the ocean, fans went to the beach to watch from the other side of a plastic barrier.
16The fans could not see the event well, but they seemed happy to be there.
17Other people found a way to watch the Olympic skateboarding competition.
18It was supposed to happen in a stadium where 7,000 people could watch.
19Instead, no one was there.
20But some fans found a way to see the Japanese skateboarders Yuto Horigome and Momiji Nishiya win gold medals in their events.
21Two little girls came to watch and said they had to stay away from security guards who would "scold" them for getting too close.
22Some people brought binoculars so they could see the skateboarders from a long distance.
23One person, Tamura, said the decision to ban fans was understandable but "sad."
24Another, Shogo Miyamoto, works in Kyoto.
25 He came to see some of the Olympics because "it is something that you wouldn't have in your home country twice in your life.
26Maybe not even once. That's why I wanted to come explore the venues."
27There are some other chances for fans to see events.
28For example, the golf course has a lot of trees,
29but fans could look through the trees to see golfers like Japan's Hideki Matsuyama,
30who won The Masters golf championship in the U.S. earlier this year.
31At Odaiba Marine Park, some fans recently watched the triathlon.
32Swimmers will compete in the open-water events in the same place.
33People who like to watch runners will be able to see the marathon in Sapporo, a city about 1,000 kilometers from Tokyo.
34Although fans are not permitted, it will be hard for security guards to clear the whole path of the race which covers 42 kilometers.
35The cycling events are being held in a place known as a track or velodrome, outside of Tokyo in Izu.
36It is far enough outside of Tokyo that it is does not have the same restrictions.
37Over 1,000 people will be able to watch at the velodrome each day.
38One athlete said she will be happy to have the support of fans.
39Laura Kenny of Great Britain has four gold medals in track cycling.
40She said she was "gutted" when she heard there would be no fans.
41Now that she knows fans will be there: "I'm glad to have some people coming in," she said.
42I'm Dan Friedell.
1Fans are not permitted into most places where Olympic events are taking place in Tokyo. 2But the Games are still going on. 3Many sports fans have been waiting a long time for the Olympics to return to Japan. What are they to do? 4It turns out that Japanese fans are getting creative. 5Recently, one cycling fan climbed a high road to run next to Richard Carapaz of Ecuador during the men's road race. Carapaz said he did not mind seeing the fan, who was wearing very little clothing, run with him up the hill. 6Carapaz smiled at the fan and later won the gold medal. 7"It gave us a sensation of somehow coming back to normality, seeing the fans there," Carapaz said later. "I loved it." 8Fans are restricted from entering stadiums and other places where the athletes are competing. Police and volunteers are looking out for people who do not have permission to be there. Athletes, coaches and reporters are wearing face coverings when they are near other people. 9But some of the events are taking place outdoors on roads and waterways. 10Even during the opening ceremony last week, fans lined the roads on the way to the stadium to cheer for the athletes as they passed in buses. 11For the new event of surfing, which takes place in the ocean, fans went to the beach to watch from the other side of a plastic barrier. The fans could not see the event well, but they seemed happy to be there. 12Other people found a way to watch the Olympic skateboarding competition. It was supposed to happen in a stadium where 7,000 people could watch. Instead, no one was there. But some fans found a way to see the Japanese skateboarders Yuto Horigome and Momiji Nishiya win gold medals in their events. 13Two little girls came to watch and said they had to stay away from security guards who would "scold" them for getting too close. 14Some people brought binoculars so they could see the skateboarders from a long distance. 15One person, Tamura, said the decision to ban fans was understandable but "sad." 16Another, Shogo Miyamoto, works in Kyoto. He came to see some of the Olympics because "it is something that you wouldn't have in your home country twice in your life. Maybe not even once. That's why I wanted to come explore the venues." 17There are some other chances for fans to see events. For example, the golf course has a lot of trees, but fans could look through the trees to see golfers like Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who won The Masters golf championship in the U.S. earlier this year. 18At Odaiba Marine Park, some fans recently watched the triathlon. Swimmers will compete in the open-water events in the same place. 19People who like to watch runners will be able to see the marathon in Sapporo, a city about 1,000 kilometers from Tokyo. Although fans are not permitted, it will be hard for security guards to clear the whole path of the race which covers 42 kilometers. 20The cycling events are being held in a place known as a track or velodrome, outside of Tokyo in Izu. It is far enough outside of Tokyo that it is does not have the same restrictions. Over 1,000 people will be able to watch at the velodrome each day. 21One athlete said she will be happy to have the support of fans. 22Laura Kenny of Great Britain has four gold medals in track cycling. She said she was "gutted" when she heard there would be no fans. 23Now that she knows fans will be there: "I'm glad to have some people coming in," she said. 24I'm Dan Friedell. 25Dave Skretta wrote this story for the Associated Press. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 26Would you try to see some of the Olympics even if you were not allowed? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. 27_______________________________________________________ 28Words in This Story 29turn out -phrasal verb to happen, end or develop in a particular way 30medal -n. a piece of metal with designs and words on it given to honor a special event, a person or a victory in a competition 31coach -n. a person who teaches and trains a sports competitor, performer or similar person 32stadium -n. a very large building, often without a roof, that has a large open space for sports and performances 33surf -v. to ride on an ocean wave using a flat piece of equipment 34scold -v. to speak in a critical or angry way to someone who has done something wrong 35binoculars -n.(pl.) a device that is held up to the eyes to see things that are far away 36venue -n. a place where an event takes place 37athlete -n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength 38gutted -adj. very disappointed