With the opening of the Tokyo Olympics only 10 days away as of Tuesday, the city of Sapporo was in the final stages of preparing for the soccer, marathon and race walking events to be held there.
The emergency-level priority measures in effect to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Hokkaido were lifted on Sunday.
--More than 95% complete
Odori Park, the starting and finishing point for the marathon and race walking events, was opened to the press on Monday. Some areas of the park has been closed to the public since mid-April, and the construction of facilities for the events was underway.
Tents and prefabricated structures to be used by athletes and officials have been set up. According to an official of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, preparations at the park were "more than 95% complete."
About 30 tents have been set up in which athletes can change their clothes before races. As a precaution against the novel coronavirus, tents will also be set up to isolate people who are confirmed to be unwell.
There are also about 100 flagpoles lined up on a foundation colored beni-iro, the traditional bright red color of Japan. The flags of participating countries will be displayed from next week.
Beni-iro is also the color of the Sapporo venues and will be used throughout the city.
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