Cruising Fraser-Pryce Kicks Off Fan-less Olympic Athletics
By Luke PHILLIPS
07/30/21 AT 12:12 AM
Jamaica's history-chasing Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce safely negotiated the first round of the 100m to start the opening day of the athletics at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
Unrelenting high-tempo music, a tinny public address tannoy, strumming cicadas and the odd cry of encouragement from a small group of coaches combined with screamed commentary from excitable Japanese pundits at an otherwise empty Olympic Stadium.
Athletes compete in the women's 100m heats Photo: AFP / Antonin THUILLIER
There was not much else audible given there were no spectators at the 68,000-capacity venue because of Covid-19 restrictions in the Japanese capital.