Sport World News
Related News
Tokyo Olympics organisers consider plans to stage test events early next year
Six-time World All-Around champion Kohei Uchimura competing at Sunday’s FIG Friendship and Solidarity Competition in Tokyo. (Photo by AFLO Sport / FIG)
LAUSANNE, November 10, 2020 – Tokyo 2020 test events could return in March 2021, according to the Games organisers, who recently drew confidence from the successful delivery of an international gymnastics meet which was held in the Japanese capital on November 8.
The Friendship and Solidarity Competition, the first major international sporting event to be held in Japan amid the COVD-19 pandemic, attracted 30 gymnasts from four countries - Japan, Russia, China and the United States – to the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. The event was held under strict COVID-19 protocols that proved effective as there has been no report of a staff or athlete from the meet testing positive for the virus.
Tokyo 2020 test events were brought to a halt this March due to the global pandemic which ultimately caused the unprecedented postponement of the Games to 2021.
Hidemasa Nakamura, the Tokyo 2020 delivery officer, told an on-line briefing that organisers are now planning to resume test events early next year.
“We are discussing how to deal with COVID-19 together with the Japanese government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government,” he said. “From the beginning of next year we will begin operations and proceed to have test events in March.”
As the Tokyo Olympics organisers continue to plan for “safe” Games next summer, the outcome of Sunday’s gymnastic meet definitely boosts their confidence. Although holding the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be far more difficult than a one-day event with a crowd of 2,000.
Spectators were able to attend wearing face masks and were socially distanced around the venue which holds around 13,000 people. All attendees, including gymnasts, team officials and media members, must pass through temperature checks and anti-bacterial sprays when arriving at the meet venue.
Athletes quarantined for two weeks ahead of traveling to Japan by charter planes. They were kept away from other passengers at the airports and had to test negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours of arrival in the country.
The 30 gymnasts stayed at the same hotel but each team had its own reserved floor, which was monitored by security guards. They travelled between the competition venue and their hotel in special buses.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Watanabe Morinari expressed delight at the countermeasures put in place for the event.
“When the athletes first arrived I could tell they were a little scared, worried if they could stay safe from the virus", he said on Tuesday (10 November), as reported by Olympic Channel.
“But as they spent time here, their insecurities eased and when they left, they left with pure joy and excitement that I could see on their faces. I like to think that’s proof the countermeasures we put in place were effective.
"We are proud of what we have done this time.”
There was an initial scare when Defending Olympic all-around champion Kohei Uchimura tested positive for coronavirus late last month, in the build up to the meet, but the Japanese star subsequently returned multiple negative tests and completed his period of isolation before competing.
The Olympic Games will involve 11,000 athletes from 206 nations competing for more than two weeks and the Paralympics will attract 4,400 athletes.
A coronavirus countermeasures taskforce, comprising officials from the Japanese Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo 2020, is currently assessing possible scenarios and measures that will ensure the successful staging of the Games in 2021.
The Friendship and Solidarity Competition, the first major international sporting event to be held in Japan amid the COVD-19 pandemic, attracted 30 gymnasts from four countries - Japan, Russia, China and the United States – to the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. The event was held under strict COVID-19 protocols that proved effective as there has been no report of a staff or athlete from the meet testing positive for the virus.
Tokyo 2020 test events were brought to a halt this March due to the global pandemic which ultimately caused the unprecedented postponement of the Games to 2021.
Hidemasa Nakamura, the Tokyo 2020 delivery officer, told an on-line briefing that organisers are now planning to resume test events early next year.
“We are discussing how to deal with COVID-19 together with the Japanese government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government,” he said. “From the beginning of next year we will begin operations and proceed to have test events in March.”
As the Tokyo Olympics organisers continue to plan for “safe” Games next summer, the outcome of Sunday’s gymnastic meet definitely boosts their confidence. Although holding the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be far more difficult than a one-day event with a crowd of 2,000.
Spectators were able to attend wearing face masks and were socially distanced around the venue which holds around 13,000 people. All attendees, including gymnasts, team officials and media members, must pass through temperature checks and anti-bacterial sprays when arriving at the meet venue.
Athletes quarantined for two weeks ahead of traveling to Japan by charter planes. They were kept away from other passengers at the airports and had to test negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours of arrival in the country.
The 30 gymnasts stayed at the same hotel but each team had its own reserved floor, which was monitored by security guards. They travelled between the competition venue and their hotel in special buses.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Watanabe Morinari expressed delight at the countermeasures put in place for the event.
“When the athletes first arrived I could tell they were a little scared, worried if they could stay safe from the virus", he said on Tuesday (10 November), as reported by Olympic Channel.
“But as they spent time here, their insecurities eased and when they left, they left with pure joy and excitement that I could see on their faces. I like to think that’s proof the countermeasures we put in place were effective.
"We are proud of what we have done this time.”
There was an initial scare when Defending Olympic all-around champion Kohei Uchimura tested positive for coronavirus late last month, in the build up to the meet, but the Japanese star subsequently returned multiple negative tests and completed his period of isolation before competing.
The Olympic Games will involve 11,000 athletes from 206 nations competing for more than two weeks and the Paralympics will attract 4,400 athletes.
A coronavirus countermeasures taskforce, comprising officials from the Japanese Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo 2020, is currently assessing possible scenarios and measures that will ensure the successful staging of the Games in 2021.
News from the same category
Video gallery
Let's Talk to the IOC Presidential Candidates
Let's Talk to IOC Presidential Candidate Lord Sebastian Coe
