The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics organisers have pulled the plug on plans to sell tickets to the general public.
After pressure from the International Olympic Committee to have fans in attendance for the Games, which start on February 4, they have now opted to not sell tickets to the public.
The prospect of selling tickets to international fans had already been ruled out due to China's strict border policy around Covid.
The latest decision has been made amid fears of the Omicron variant, with the first case recently confirmed to have been detected in the Chinese capital.
As an alternative to no ticket sales, plans are in place for an 'adapted programme’, that will allow groups of spectators to be on site during the Games, but there are expected to be significantly reduced numbers.
A Beijing 2022 statement read: "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."
This development comes after the Tokyo Summer Games last year were held behind closed doors amid worries of the spread of Covid.
Meanwhile last week, it was reported that Team GB athletes have been told not to take their phones to the Winter Olympics over fears of spying.
According to The Telegraph, the British Olympic Association (BOA) will provide their athletes with alternative devices to travel with, and requested competitors leave their personal ones at home.
The policy comes after the BOA received advice from both their own security and IT team, as well as outside agencies.
A statement from the BOA did confirm though that the choice would be left up to the individual athlete.
A spokesperson said: "We’ve given athletes and staff practical advice so that they can make their own choice as to whether they take their personal devices to the Games, or not.
"Where they do not want to take their own equipment, we have provisioned temporary devices for them to use."
The 2022 Winter Olympics will be the first to take place in China and it marks the country's second Olympics overall, after the 2008 Summer Games, which also was hosted by Beijing.
