Tokyo 2020 Venues Available to Athletes

(ATR) Three more Tokyo 2020 permanent venues will be opening for use by sports federations in the coming days.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on Monday the opening dates for the Sea Forest Waterway, Yumenoshima Park Archery Field, and Oi Hockey Stadium. The general public will eventually have access to the facilities but a timeline for that was not revealed.

The Sea Forest Waterway, home to rowing and sprint canoe events for both the Olympics and Paralympics, will be open for practice use by sports federations beginning on August 22 and running through December 28. Rowing and canoe lessons and facility tours will be made available to Tokyo residents at some point.

Yumenoshima Park Archery Field will open from September 1 to March 31, 2021 for archery competitions by sports federations. The TMG says it will not be open to the public for the time being "in order to preserve the lawn".

Oi Hockey Stadium will open on August 22 and close on January 14, 2021 for hockey competitions and to provide a practice facility for hockey players training for Tokyo 2020. The TMG says hockey experience events for Tokyo residents will be offered though the dates have not been determined.

"Sufficient infection control measures" are being taken at each of the venues but the TMG also warns that use of the venues could be suspended depending on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

These three venues join Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre, which opened on July 27, and the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre, which will allow sports federations access beginning on August 21, on the list of open facilities.

More venues will be announced at a later date.

In addition TMG says the Ariake Arena, home to volleyball and wheelchair basketball during Tokyo 2020, will be used for online live music and sporting events, without in-person audiences, beginning in September and running until February.

All 42 venues for Tokyo 2020 have been secured for use a year later than originally planned after the postponement of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Written by Gerard Farek

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