i don't know if i can ask here, but is it okay to just participate online, if you and you're team aren't able to participate physically?

The same here. 

I emailed they asking about participating online and the answer was it's OKAY to participate online!

Topic will be anounced at 5 (CET) and we will put it a bit later here: http://www.itec.aau.at/gamejam/