The Chiba prefectural government announced on Wednesday that the U.S. track and field team for the Tokyo Olympics has decided to cancel its planned training camp in the prefecture due to concerns over coronavirus infections.
The prefectural government said U.S.A. Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body, contacted officials in mid-April to inform them of the cancellation, citing concerns over the safety of athletes.
According to the prefectural government and other entities, before the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics was decided in March last year, the camp was expected to host about 120 athletes and other participants. Even after the postponement, the prefecture was still discussing the possibility of holding the camp.
The prefectural government, the cities of Narita, Sakura and Inzai, which would provide training sites, and Juntendo University hosted the U.S. team at a camp prior to the IAAF world championships held in Beijing in August 2015. The U.S. side appreciated their hospitality at the time and in May 2016 agreed to have a pre-Olympic training camp.
"It's very regrettable, but I believe that the USATF has made the best decision under the current circumstances," Chiba Gov. Toshihito Kumagai said.
-- Ibaraki rejects dedicated hospital beds for Games
Ibaraki Gov. Kazuhiko Oigawa said at a press conference on Wednesday that he refused a request from the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to secure dedicated hospital beds for the athletes in case they were infected with the coronavirus, saying that he could not prioritize the athletes over prefectural residents.
As for holding the Games, Oigawa said, "We should choose to postpone again or cancel the Games" if the infection situation becomes serious.
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