SAPPORO: Runners start at the Sapporo challenge half-marathon held as a Tokyo 2020 Olympics test event on Wednesday.—AP
SAPPORO: Spectators were urged to stay away as a subdued Tokyo Olympics marathon rehearsal took place under strict anti-coronavirus conditions in Sapporo on Wednesday, as officials grapple with a rise in infections and public antipathy to the Games.
Scattered onlookers in facemasks clapped but refrained from cheering, to avoid spreading droplets, as Kenya’s Hillary Kipkoech won the scaled-back men’s half-marathon in 1hr 46sec and Japan’s Mao Ichiyama was the women’s winner in 1hr 8min 28sec.
Security guards stood with signs around their necks asking people to ‘please refrain from watching the race’ to prevent infections as the event unfolded in a muted atmosphere in the northern city.