Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have agreed to hold the event without any spectators following a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Japan.

Today's decision has been made after a state of emergency was declared in the country, a fortnight before the start of the Olympics.

Coronavirus cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high and health experts recommended staging the Olympics behind closed doors to reduce the risk of transmission in the city.

The President of the Games, Seiko Hashimoto, says the situation is "regrettable" and has apologised to people who've bought tickets.