The Japanese are turning their backs on Olympic athletes as Covid’s anxiety increases
Cities across Japan are canceling plans to host athletes ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, with little chance of airing competitors and threatening to distort competition at the world’s biggest sporting event.
They are local farm camps a crucial part of the preparation for many Olympic athletes, it allows them to train, condition and connect as a team before going directly to the Olympic Village or the competition venue.
But the severity of the Covid-19 cuts – which will apply even if athletes are included – is pushing many countries to cancel, highlighting how Japan’s decision stands out. organize the Olympics in a pandemic the logistics of the event are being tightened.
TOKYO: Competitors take part in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final during an athletics test event for the Tokyo Olympics at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Reuters
TOKYO: Hundreds of athletes, including US sprinter Justin Gatlin, participated in a test event at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, as organisers fine-tuned operations and Covid-19 countermeasures with under three months to go before the Tokyo Games.
No spectators were present in the stadium, where the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies will be held, as Tokyo remains under a state of emergency to tame a rise in coronavirus infections.
Sunday’s event, involving 420 athletes, including nine who came from abroad to participate, was split into morning and evening sessions with 2004 Olympic gold medallist Gatlin on the start list for the 100 metres in the evening.
Sebastian Coe praises athletes resolve for Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 05/10/21
World Athletics President gives thumbs-up to Tokyo 2020 preparations for Games athletics competition, says athletes don t want to sit out the dance despite Covid-19 challenges.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe hailed the strength of athletes for their continued commitment to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 against the backdrop of the global pandemic.
On Sunday (9 May), at the Ready Steady Tokyo Athletics meet at the Olympic Stadium, Coe made no illusion of the stark reality currently hitting Japan as well as the rest of the world.
A third state of emergency, just extended to the end of May, has deepened public concern as to what the country will look like on 23 July at the Opening Ceremony.
Gatlin wins at Tokyo Olympic Stadium test event
09 May 2021 - 19:17
May 9, 2021 Justin Gatlin of the U.S. celebrates after winning the men s 100m final REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Reuters
TOKYO: Hundreds of athletes, including U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin, participated in a test event at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, as organisers fine-tuned operations and COVID-19 countermeasures with under three months to go before the Tokyo Games.
No spectators were present in the stadium, where the Games opening and closing ceremonies will be held, as Tokyo remains under a state of emergency to tame a rise in coronavirus infections.
Sunday s event involved 420 athletes, including nine who came from abroad to participate, with 2004 Olympic gold medallist Gatlin winning the 100 metres.