U.S. Sprinter Gatlin Headlines Olympic Test Event

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May 9, 2021

Thousands of athletes have taken part in a dozen test events with an eye toward the 2020 Olympics, delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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One of the most high-profile participants in the latest test event was American sprinter Justin Gatlin, the five-time Olympic medalist in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Gatlin won the 100-meter test race, in a time of 10.24 seconds, edging out Japanese runners Tada Shuhei (10.26) and Koike Yuki (10.28).

-"Justin

Gatlin, 39, won his lone Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters at Athens in 2004. He finished a close second in Rio in 2016 and took the bronze in 2012. Also in Athens, he won silver on the 4-man 100-meter relay race and an individual bronze in the 200-meter race. He has said that the Tokyo Games will be his last Olympics.

The athletics test event involved nine athletes from outside Japan; the rest of the participants were local. Of the other 11 test events, three (diving, marathon, and volleyball) have also involved athletes from countries other than Japan.

Competitors sparred under tightly controlled conditions. Japan is still struggling with the spread of the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus. Officials routinely tested athletes and everyone else involved in the test events and reported no one testing positive for the coronavirus.

The Olympic Torch Relay continued, after beginning in Fukushima on March 25. The schedule calls for the Olympic Flame to travel to all of Japan's 47 prefectures and then end up in Tokyo. The Games are scheduled to begin on July 23.

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Social Studies for Kids
copyright 2002–2023
David White

Social Studies for Kids
copyright 2002–2024
David White