No Spectators For Olympic Test Events
Seven test events for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be held in the capital without spectators during a state of emergency that starts Sunday and runs until May 11.
The declaration, announced by the government on Friday due to a surge in coronavirus cases, also takes effect in three western prefectures.
The same day, it was announced that a volleyball test event scheduled for May 1 and 2 at the Ariake Arena will be held without spectators.
The Tokyo organizing committee also said an athletics test event planned for May 9 at the National Stadium will be held without spectators.
Officials had already decided to hold a diving test event from May 1 through 6 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre without spectators.
The competition serves as the final qualifier for the Olympics, but Australia has withdrawn. The country's diving body said, "it would not be safe to send our athletes and officials."
Officials were hoping to use the events to refine anti-virus measures and guidance for spectators in the run-up to the Games, which start less than three months from now.