Only one case of COVID transmission in 787 Japanese races

by Brett Larner

On 9 November JAAF published the results of research into 787 races and track meets held nationwide held from 1 July, when competitions resumed following months of cancelations and postponements in the early days of the coronavirus crisis, through to 4 October.

The report documented only one case of someone who was involved in one of the races contracting COVID-19 in the two weeks following the event they attended.

The study surveyed 53 organisations including the JAAF and corporate and collegiate league governing bodies. As of 6 November, 47 of the groups had returned responses. A total of 571,401 athletes and 98,035 officials and staff took part in the 787 races covered by the survey. 529 of those events were held without spectators, and JAAF guidelines specify safety measures such as simplified opening ceremonies and race staff wearing masks and goggles when assisting struggling athletes.