Osaka to go on

Last year the Japanese athletics federation published strict guidelines for the staging of road races during the coronavirus pandemic. One of the requirements is that no declaration of a state of emergency be in place. On 7 January the government issued such a declaration for Tokyo and its three surrounding prefectures. Osaka and neighbouring Kyoto and Hyogo have asked to be added to that list.

If the terms of the state of emergency are the same as the earlier one for the Tokyo area, it would last until at least 7 February. This would put the Osaka International Women’s Marathon inside the emergency period, but race organisers insist it would still be held. The declaration would limit the number of people able to attend events, but in principle it would still be possible to stage sporting events. Osaka organisers have already announced that Nagai Stadium, the marathon’s start and finish point, will not be open to the public and have asked that people watch on TV rather than cheer on the course. Fewer than 100 athletes are entered and all will be required to present a negative PCR test in order to participate.