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A route has been authorised for the Olympic marathon, which is to be held within the northern metropolis of Sapporo to keep away from the Japanese capital’s summer time warmth, Tokyo 2020 organisers stated Friday. A dummy-run marathon will happen on May 5 to check the circuit, which begins and ends at Sapporo Odori Park within the metropolis centre, the organising committee stated. The controversial resolution to relocate the marathon and race-walking occasions was made in November 2019, earlier than the Games had been postponed by a yr as a result of coronavirus.
The Tokyo Olympics are actually as a result of open in July 2021, and officers are insisting they are going to go forward even when the pandemic will not be underneath management.
The marathon can have three laps — the primary for much longer, crossing the Toyohira River, whereas the second and third laps repeat a bit of the primary.
“Sapporo has a rich background in road running, particularly marathon events, and we want to inspire… fans around the world to travel to Sapporo for its future mass races,” stated Jakob Larsen, competitors and occasions director for World Athletics, which has authorised the route.
It will not be precisely the identical route because the annual Hokkaido Marathon within the metropolis, however “it does follow much of the traditional course”, he added.
Olympic officers first proposed transferring the marathon after disastrous scenes on the 2019 Doha World Athletics Championships, the place dozens of athletes wanted medical consideration in scorching and humid circumstances.
It grew to become a serious sticking level between Tokyo officers and the International Olympics Committee, however finally town gave its grudging assist for the transfer.
New check occasion dates in April and May for para-athletics and wheelchairs had been additionally introduced on Friday.
Most of the check occasions — which operate as costume rehearsals for every sport, and also will be used to evaluate anti-coronavirus measures and contingency plans — had already taken place earlier than the Games had been delayed in March.
But greater than a dozen stay to be held, with followers and international athletes allowed at some. It will not be but clear whether or not spectators will attend the marathon check occasion.
Japan has seen a comparatively small coronavirus outbreak total, with greater than 2,500 deaths and 170,000 confirmed instances.
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But it’s now battling a 3rd wave of the respiratory illness, reporting document numbers of day by day infections nationwide.
Sapporo is within the Hokkaido area, which has been hit onerous by the coronavirus.
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