US track and field scrap Japan pre-Olympics camp over virus

Athletes are seen with pole vaults before competing in their event at the morning session of the Athletics test event at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium. Reuters

An athlete is seen wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease during the morning session of the Athletics test event. Reuters

Japan's Kazuto IIzawa (11) competes with other runners during the men's 1500m final at the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Japan's Ayumi Kaneko, Sae Miyazono, Haruna Oota, Riko Sonomiya and Midori Mikase compete in the women's 100m round 1 heat during the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

A message regarding safe distancing measures amid the coronavirus pandemic is shown on a screen at the Olympic Stadium before the start of the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Medical officers wearing protective suits are seen at the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Officials wearing protective face masks prepare for an event at the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Officials wearing protective face masks are seen in the women's pole vault final at the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

The Tokyo 2020 athletics pictogram is seen on an electronic display during the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Japan's Daichi Setoguchi runs ahead of others during the men's 800m final at the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Officials wear face masks and shields during the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Officials are seen wearing masks during the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

An athlete competes in the men's hammer throw event during the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

A remote controlled miniature car, developed by Toyota Motor for use in track and field throwing events, is seen during the men's hammer throw event at the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

Athletes hold pole vaults at the morning session of the Athletics test event. Reuters

Officials check on starting blocks before the start of the morning session of the athletics test event. Reuters

The US track and field team plans for a pre-Olympic camp in Japan has been scrapped over concerns about safety during the pandemic, officials said.

US athletes were supposed to train in Chiba, outside Tokyo, before the pandemic-postponed Games open on July 23.

But the Chiba regional authority said the US team cancelled "because of concerns over athlete safety as the coronavirus pandemic continues around the world with no prospects of winding down".

"Although the cancellation is extremely regrettable, we think it is the best decision ... given the current situation," the region said.

The US team (USATF) confirmed that it had scrapped plans for pre-Games training and was encouraging it athletes to stay in the US and train.

Pre-training camps across Japan have been cancelled either by prospective host towns or the athletes involved over virus concerns as the country battles a fourth wave of infections.

Tokyo and several other parts of Japan are under a state of emergency, and the government is facing pressure over its comparatively slow vaccine roll-out among wealthy nations.

Organisers say anti-virus measures will ensure the Games are held safely and point to a string of recent test events, including some with international participants, that were held without producing virus clusters.

The Japanese public as well as some of its top athletes, however, remains opposed to holding the Games this summer, with most favouring cancellation or a further delay.