Tokyo to host international gymnastics competition in Nov.

An international gymnastics competition is scheduled to be held in Tokyo in November. It will be the first such event hosted by the capital since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic. About 80 athletes and coaches from Japan and three other countries will participate in the Friendship and Solidarity Competition, which is being organized by the International Gymnastics Federation.

PCR tests will be repeatedly implemented even before the participants enter Japan, their range of activities in Japan will be limited, and measures to prevent infections will be thoroughly implemented at the event venue.

As it will serve as a test case for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held next summer, the government and other entities are cooperating on preparations for the event at the Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, on Nov. 8.

Gymnasts, including Olympic medalists, are scheduled to participate in the competition, which will feature Japanese, American, Chinese and Russian athletes competing in mixed teams.

Up to 2,000 spectators, or a quarter of the capacity of the Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium’s stands, will be admitted.

Athletes from overseas will receive PCR tests at least three times in total before arriving in Japan, including weekly tests starting two weeks before their departure from their countries. They will fly on chartered planes or use similar special transportation to avoid contact with other passengers. The athletes from overseas will enter Japan four days before the start of the event.

During their stay in Japan, they will receive PCR tests daily to confirm they are negative for the coronavirus and have their health condition monitored.

Athletes will be transported from airports to accommodation facilities and training sites in chartered buses. They will not be allowed, in principle, to go out to places other than designated sites, and will have meals in banquet halls allocated to each country at their hotel.

Japanese athletes will also stay in the same hotel and receive the same medical tests as those given to foreign athletes. Their activities will also be limited in the same way as those of their foreign counterparts.

At the event venue, passageways exclusively for the athletes will be set up.

Masks will be distributed to the athletes and they will be required to wear the masks at all times, except when performing and practicing. They will be prohibited from sharing chalk powder.

The organizer will require athletes from all countries to submit letters of commitment in which they promise to comply with the rules and restrictions.

Concerning entry and exit of foreign athletes who will participate in the Tokyo Olympics, the government, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the organizing committee are discussing the issue.

They are coordinating a scheme in which the athletes will be exempted from the obligation to self- isolate in accommodations for 14 days on the condition that they submit their action plans, which limit their range of activities during their stay in Japan, and letters of commitment in which they promise to comply with the restrictions.

The government will not demand that the athletes in the November event self-isolate for the period if they comply with the restrictions on their activities, according to sources.

International sports events have been canceled one after another since February this year, when infections with the virus began spreading globally.

The International Judo Federation had planned to hold its international event, the Tokyo Grand Slam 2020, in December, but announced in September the cancellation of the event.

Concerning the planned gymnastics event, government officials and members of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee are also taking part in discussions about immigration procedures for foreign athletes and staff for the event.

A senior official of the organizing committee said: “This is a good opportunity to demonstrate that it is possible to hold international events even during the novel coronavirus crisis. We want to proactively share information with the organizers and identify the issues for the Olympics next summer.”