Olympic Athletes Struggle With Arenas Devoid of Cheering Fans
- Lack of fanfare among toughest anti-Covid measures to adapt to
- Athletes kept insulated as cases hit record in Tokyo area
Of all the oddities that come with holding the Olympic Games in the midst of a pandemic, having to compete in arenas and stadiums completely lacking in shouting fans has perhaps been the hardest thing for athletes to adjust to.
Olympians now compete in near silence, punctuated by beat-heavy soundtracks and light shows that were orchestrated to hype up audiences. The quiet is particularly overwhelming in cavernous stadiums designed to seat tens of thousands, though in events such judo teammates try to make up for the absence of fans. Some athletes, such as road cyclists and marathon runners, can still experience the atmosphere of roadside spectators rooting for them as they compete. Others try to catch an encouraging wave from fans as they get bussed to and from events.