In response to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe‘s declaration of a state of emergency within the nation of Japan, the Japan Sport Council will be closing two premier Olympic training facilities.
Per Kyodo News, the JSC will be closing the doors of the National Training Center and the Japan Institute of Sport Sciences through at least May 6th. Both are located in Tokyo, the host city of the now-2021 Summer Olympic Games.
The National Training Center serves as a development and training base across sporting disciplines spanning volleyball, wrestling, and badminton and includes lodging and dining facilities for athletes.
The Japan Institute houses modern facilities and equipment with expert groups of researchers and doctors aiming to improve Japan’s performance in international competitions across sport.
At the time of publishing, Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Center indicates Japan has 4,667 reported cases of coronavirus, resulting in 94 deaths and 632 recoveries.
Late last month, the International Olympic Committee landed on a start date of July 23, 2021, for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Paralympic Games will be held from August 24th to September 5th.
