TOKYO • Gymnasts from four nations tumbled, leapt and spun their way through a friendly meet in Tokyo yesterday, in a closely watched event aimed at showing the world Japan can safely carry out the postponed 2020 Olympics amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Thirty gymnasts from Japan, the United States, China and Russia, including Japan's three-gold Olympic champion Kohei Uchimura and Russia's 2019 world champion Nikita Nagornyy, took part in the first international event at a Tokyo Olympic venue since the Games' postponement in March due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The one-off friendly event was seen as a crucial trial run for having international athletes travel to and compete in Japan during the Games, which will bring more than 11,000 athletes to Tokyo next July.
A few international matches have been held recently, but they remain rare.
An opening message from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach highlighted the stakes for the meet, which seemed briefly threatened last week when Uchimura had what turned out to be a false positive test.
Lauding the "Olympic values" of friendship and solidarity - the names of teams into which the athletes were divided regardless of country or gender - he said the meet played a crucial role.
"You are also setting an example that sport can be organised safely even under ongoing health restrictions," he said 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 at the venue, designed by Kenzo Tange for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, clapped enthusiastically but did not cheer, mindful of posted rules against it - except when Uchimura, who had not competed internationally for two years due to injury, completed a thrilling horizontal bar routine.
Several athletes, including Uchimura, said it was "just plain fun" to get to a meet after a such a long hiatus.
Uchimura, whose Team Solidarity edged Team Friendship (421.3 points) by 2.3 points to win, said the meet went beyond sport. Symbolically, athletes from each team awarded each other medals.
"It's important to work towards the Olympics next year, but we must also be athletes who give you hope and dreams," he said.
Gymnasts, tested daily for Covid-19, all wore masks as they marched into the gymnasium behind national flags, and there were fist bumps of congratulations instead of hugs or high fives.
Coaches were masked at all times and over 2,000 spectators had temperature checks and occupied every other seat due to safe distancing, with all attendees misted with disinfectant upon entering the venue.
A handful of demonstrators outside called for the Games to be axed but fans shrugged them off.
"I'll do everything to cooperate, because I really want this to succeed," said beautician Kanako Utsumi, 43. "It's really important for the athletes - and the Olympics."
REUTERS
