Tokyo is planning to hold an international gymnastics meet next month that will exempt non-Japanese athletes from a 14-day quarantine period, an approach that might foreshadow planning for next year’s postponed Olympics.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced in a release, “As part of the return to international competition, the FIG will hold a unique Artistic Gymnastics event to bring together some of the world’s best athletes in Tokyo on 8 November.”
A maximum of 2,000 fans would be allowed to attend the one-day event at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
The competition, hosted by the Japanese Gymnastics Association (JGA), will see two teams compete – Team Friendship and Team Solidarity and will feature 32 athletes from Japan, China, Russia and the US.
“This is a competition of hope. Friendship and solidarity will lead us towards better days,” said FIG President Morinari Watanabe.
“Gymnastics will once again light up the Olympic Games in Japan next year. After a challenging period, we are delighted to bring gymnastics back to the Japanese public by welcoming many of our stars to Tokyo and giving them the chance for an innovative competition on a global stage,” he added. Tokyo is scheduled to host the postponed Olympic Games next year from July 23.
