Tokyo Grand Prix to go ahead in August

by Brett Larner

On 13 July the JAAF officially confirmed that the Seiko Golden Grand Prix meet originally scheduled to have been held in May will take place on 23 August at Tokyo's new Olympic Stadium.

It will be the first track and field event staged at the rebuilt Olympic Stadium.

As part of the World Athletics Continental Tour the Golden Grand Prix hosts some of the world’s top international athletes every year, but amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis that is not possible this year. Participants will be limited to athletes within Japan giving some of the country’s highest-potential high school talent the chance to compete in the meet against some of the biggest domestic names in hopes of making up for the cancellation of this year’s National High School Championships.

The Golden Grand Prix will be held without spectators but will be broadcast by TBS and a livestream is also planned.

Translator’s note: Although this article could be interpreted to mean Japan-resident international athletes already in the country may be eligible to compete, a direct communication from meet athlete liaison Ellie Kawai on 13 July confirmed that only athletes of Japanese citizenship will be allowed to take part. As such, the first track and field event at the 2020 Olympic Stadium will be held without fans or foreigners.

Source article in Japanese