Tokyo, Japan - As the opening ceremony of the delayed Tokyo Olympics draws the world's attention, many locals are worried about the fate of the Olympic Stadium's feline residents.

Until recently, the stadium was home to at least eight stray cats, which were fed three times a day by volunteers, the Japanese daily news outlet Asahi Shimbun reported on Friday.

But now the area has been widely cordoned off because of the sporting spectacle.

In an online petition, more than 10,000 people asked for permission to continue caring for the cats in the area.

In response, workers managed to capture two of the felines. Now the volunteers are looking for people to take them in.

They also want to work to save the other animals around the stadium from suffering the effects of starvation, the intense summer heat, and possible accidents caused by the increased Olympic traffic.