A banner promoting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics hangs on the facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, March 25, 2020, in Tokyo. (JAE C. HONG / AP)
TOKYO - Japan-based ticket holders for the postponed Tokyo Olympics will be able to apply for refunds from Nov 10, Games organizers said on Friday.
Since deciding to postpone the Games until 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers have said ticketholders could apply for refunds if they no longer wanted to attend.
Those living outside Japan had to originally purchase their tickets from Authorised Ticket Resellers (ATRs) and each ATR would be individually responsible for their own refund procedures, according to Tokyo Olympics' organizers
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Organizers said on Friday they would accept refund requests for Olympics tickets from those residing in Japan from Nov 10-30 and for Paralympic ticketholders from Dec 1-21.
Organizers have sold over five million tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics domestically, but have yet to decide whether spectators would be allowed into venues when the Games start on July 23 next year.
A decision is expected by the end of this year.
"If we are not able to provide an opportunity to spectate the Games due to the COVID-19 situation, then we will offer an additional opportunity to apply for a refund," Tokyo 2020's marketing director Hidenori Suzuki told reporters.
Those living outside Japan had to originally purchase their tickets from Authorised Ticket Resellers (ATRs) and each ATR would be individually responsible for their own refund procedures, according to Tokyo 2020.
Organizers added that there would be additional opportunities to apply for refunds if they were not able to provide an opportunity for spectators to attend the Games due to COVID-19.
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The International Olympic Committee has already said the delay will cost them approximately US$800 million, while Japanese organizers have yet to announce what their share will be.
