Olympic flame ceremony closed to public in Olympia due to coronavirus crisis

The lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia will take place without spectators because of the coronavirus emergency, organisers say.

The ceremony on Thursday will be attended by only 100 accredited guests from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 organising committee.

A dress rehearsal on Wednesday will also be be closed to the public.

The Olympic flame is due to arrive in Japan on March 20 after a Greek relay leg and a handover ceremony in Athens on March 19.

The torch will be carried around 47 prefectures in Japan in a 121-day relay starting in Fukushima before arriving at the July 24 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Tokyo's New National Stadium.