The world has once again come together in celebration of sporting excellence at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, for avid fans like Kazunori Takishima, tuning in to broadcasts is the only way to witness the prestigious event. For the past 15 years, Takishima has been traveling the globe to support Japan at every Olympic Game, but his dream of seeing the event in his hometown Tokyo has been crushed after Olympic officials banned spectators to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Takishima told CNN that he enjoyed the process of buying the tickets because he is passionate about the Olympics. The Japanese native, who had spent almost $40,000 on 197 tickets for him and his friends, figured that if he watched all the competitions he had booked, he would have broken the Guinness World Record for attendance at Olympics games. He has expressed his disappointment in the government and the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee. “The decision for banning spectators was based on emotion rather than numbers,” he said. Takishima’s love for the Olympics started in 2005 after being fascinated by a figure ice skating competition.

The 45-year-old who works as a real estate businessman will get a refund on the tickets he has bought. “All I have now is sorrow; I cry every time I look at the tickets,” Takishima said. Despite being heartbroken, his passion still burns brightly as the Olympic flame, “I will continue to visit and support the Olympics until the day I die.” he shared. Takishima is certainly deserving of a medal for his unwavering dedication. The next Olympic games (2024) will be held in Paris, France.