Kevin Durant disappointed there will be no fans in stands for Tokyo Olympics
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No fans will be allowed at any event during the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo, which is in a state of emergency due to rising COVID-19 cases in the city.
Team USA basketball member Kevin Durant said he was disappointed by the news, but understands that this is about more than just the Olympics.
“I was definitely disappointed once I heard that, but I understand, you know, we already pushed the games back a year, so we don’t want to cause any more trouble with COVID,” Durant said during media availability at Team USA camp on Friday.
Durant has gotten to experience what Olympic glory feels like being on the world’s biggest stage and being in front of a big crowd, having won a gold medal with Team USA in 2012 and 2016.
“It brings a different energy, the crowd,” he said. “Fans from all over the world supporting their teams and their countries. That’s going to be the part that’s going to sting a bit, but it’s still an honor and a pleasure to go out there and represent your country and to do it on a big stage.
“I wish our fans and fans from around the world could experience it up close.”
The state of emergency in Tokyo starts on July 12 and goes until at least Aug. 22, meaning it will span the entire Olympics.
Facing TLC
Durant will face off against fellow Net Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot in the Olympics opener between Team USA and Team France.
KD said he’s already started talking trash with his teammate and is looking forward to the matchup.
“I can’t wait,” Durant said. “I’ve definitely talked my s–t to TLC a couple times about how he can’t guard me and about how I lock him up on defense. So I can’t wait to talk even more s–t once I see him with his national team.
“It’s gonna be a great battle. They’ve got a few NBA players on that team that we all know and we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
In additon to TLC, Team France also has NBA players in the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Nicolas Batum, the Boston Celtics’ Evan Fournier and the New York Knicks’ Frank Ntilikina.
