When the Olympics roll around, it's always a special occasion for Bathurst local Mark Windsor.
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Having carried the Olympic torch when it visited Bathurst ahead of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Mr Windsor was humbled by the experience and has always been overwhelmed by the aspect of hype and togetherness the Olympics generate.
But at this year's Tokyo Olympics (the opening ceremony will held this Friday evening), it'll be a strange experience for all involved, with no fans permitted to attend events.
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But Mr Windsor believes with no fans, combined with many people around Australia and the world in lockdown, this year's Olympics will be a lot more favourable for viewers and enthusiasts that can watch on from home.
"When you think of Tokyo, there's not much engagement. I'm sure the coverage will be impressive, in that they'll fix it up. I'm sure the coverage will compensate and I'm sure that emotion will come through, even without the crowd.
"I think what we have going for us with COVID-19 is that we're tending to be home at the moment. I think people are going into lockdown with the Olympics on. It's potentially an opportunity for the Olympics movement to sell itself even more.
"While COVID is wrecking the engagement in Tokyo, around the world the audience will be even greater with COVID keeping people at home.
"I think there will be a lot more conversation generated on online and through the media because we have that opportunity to watch it and have it on in the background. You're able to manage your time a bit more to watch games. It's also favourable because it's a similar time zone.
Mr Windsor said the community engagement that is usually generated is one of his favourite aspects of the Olympics.
"I love the Olympics simply through how it generated so much hype through the crowd and spectators at Sydney 2000," he said.
"A big thing for me was my kids were at an age where it was very easy to take them to the Olympics and I hope it comes to Queensland because I would take the grandkids there."
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