Winter Olympics tickets to not go on sale to the general public

Organisers for the Beijing Olympics have confirmed the decision

The Beijing Winter Olympics will no longer sell tickets to the general public due to concerns surrounding Covid after the first cases of the Omicron variant were discovered in the Chinese capital. The plans for the games, which are due to start on 4 February, will now be altered, with officials confirming that a select group of people will instead be invited to watch the events, the Daily Mail has said, whilst foreign-based spectators will not be allowed to purchase tickets. A statement said: "Given the current grave and complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators, it was decided that tickets should not be sold anymore but be part of an adapted programme that will invite groups of spectators to be present on site during the Games. "The organisers expect that these spectators will strictly abide by the COVID-19 countermeasures before, during and after each event as pre-conditions for the safe and sound delivery of the Games." Last year's summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan were held behind closed doors due to rising Covid cases. Related links:

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