(ATR) The end of Japan’s state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic marks a new beginning on the road to the Tokyo Olympics next summer.
After two months of working from home, Tokyo 2020 staff began returning to the office this week.
"Precautions are in order but it feels good to be back," Tokyo 2020 International Communications Senior Manager Tristan Lavier said on Twitter.
He added that the "new normal" means that the open space in the office can’t exceed 50 percent capacity, so for now employees are coming in on a rotational basis. Masks, hand washing and social distancing remain an integral part of the plan.
Japan’s National Training Center and the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences also opened on Monday for the first time since early April.
The Japan Times reports that athletes are the only ones allowed into the training headquarters so far but their coaches are expected to be able to join them as restrictions are eased.
Swimmers, sport shooters and table tennis players were among the athletes taking advantage of the reopening on Monday.
According to the newspaper, Japan’s Olympic table tennis players are scheduled to start training camp on or after June 19. The government is expected to lift its request to voluntarily limit travel between Japan’s prefectures on that date.
Canada to Help Athletes Pay for Training
Canadian athletes will be receiving additional financial help to offset the expected rise in training costs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Own the Podium (OTP) announced a C$5 million (US$3.58 million) investment as part of the framework for a phased return to high-performance sport.
"As Canada’s high-performance athletes and coaches will soon return to training in pursuit of their Olympic and Paralympic dreams, we want them to be able to do so in a manner that is safe for them, their families, and their communities," COC chief executive David Shoemaker said.
"Our focus currently is on investing in measures that optimize a healthy and safe return to training. As the environment changes, the funds will continue to invest in key priorities identified by our medical and technical experts."
Social distancing and other required measures will mean fewer athletes will be able to train in the same facility together when they return. That translates to more hours of facility rentals to be paid for to train the same number of athletes. Medical staff will also likely have to charge more due to the additional safety precautions needed to protect against COVID-19.
The money will be directed to areas of greatest need as determined by the Return to Sport Task Force. The group, led by OTP, has developed the framework on how "the reintroduction of sport activity will occur in a responsible manner from an athlete, coach, and practitioner perspective".
Written by Gerard Farek
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