Gymnasts in Tokyo show how Olympics can pass coronavirus challenges

Gymnasts from 4 nations tumbled, leapt and spun by way of a pleasant meet in Tokyo on Sunday in a closely-watched occasion aimed toward displaying the world Japan can safely perform the postponed 2020 Olympics in an period of coronavirus.

Thirty gymnasts from Japan, the United States, China and Russia, together with Japan’s triple Olympic gold medallist Kohei Uchimura and Russia’s 2019 World Champion Nikita Nagornyy, took half within the first worldwide occasion at a Tokyo Olympic venue because the Games’ postponement in March as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

The one-off pleasant occasion was seen as an important trial run for having worldwide athletes journey to and compete in Japan through the Olympics, which is able to deliver greater than 11,000 athletes to Tokyo subsequent July. A number of worldwide matches have been held just lately, however stay uncommon.

An opening message from International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach highlighted the stakes for the meet, which appeared briefly threatened final week when Uchimura had what turned out to be a false positive virus test.

Lauding the “Olympic values” of friendship and solidarity – the names of groups into which the athletes had been divided no matter nation or gender – Bach stated the meet performed an important function.

“You are also setting an example that sport can be organised safely even under ongoing health restrictions,” he stated in a video message.

“…Giving us confidence in our preparation for future events, in particular of course with an eye to the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”

Spectators on the venue, designed by Kenzo Tange for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, clapped enthusiastically however didn’t cheer, conscious of posted guidelines in opposition to it – besides when Uchimura, who hadn’t competed internationally for 2 years attributable to harm, accomplished an electrifying horizontal bar routine.

Uchimura, whose “Solidarity” workforce edged “Friendship” to win, stated the meet went past sport.

“It’s important to work towards the Olympics next year, but we must also be athletes who give you hope and dreams,” Uchimura stated.

Gymnasts, examined every day for the virus, wore masks as they marched into the gymnasium behind nationwide flags, and there have been fist bumps of congratulations as an alternative of hugs or excessive fives.

Though some athletes stated it had been onerous to maneuver solely between their resort and the gymnasium, U.S. gymnast Yul Muldauer stated he’d simply been joyful to compete once more.

“To continue competitions, to continue the Olympic year, we have to be more safe than you’d ever expect,” he informed a post-match information convention.

The 2,000-some spectators had temperature checks and had been misted with disinfectant on entrance.

A handful of demonstrators outdoors referred to as for the Olympics to be cancelled, however spectators shrugged them off.

“I’ll do everything to cooperate, because I really want this to succeed,” stated beautician Kanako Utsumi, 43.

“It’s really important for the athletes – and the Olympics.”

(Reporting by Jack Tarrant and Elaine Lies; Editing by William Mallard & Simon Cameron-Moore)