Jul 19 (NHK) - The schedule for the Tokyo Olympics has been broadly determined. Starting times of the marathon and other races along roads were moved forward in view of the hot summer weather.
The executive board of the International Olympic Committee approved the plan submitted by the Tokyo Games organizing committee on Wednesday.
The event will be held from late July through early August in 2020.
A softball match will be held in Fukushima Prefecture, which was hit hard by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident, on July 22nd, 2 days before the opening ceremony. It will be the first event in the Games.
Judo, gymnastics, and badminton will be held early in the Games. Athletics and wrestling, as well as the finals of team sports, such as volleyball and soccer, will be held later.
The starting time of some outdoor competitions has been moved up from the original plan. That's to avoid possible scorching heat.
Marathons will start at 7 AM. The men's 50-kilometer walk will begin at 6 AM. And the triathlon will take place from 8 AM.
Softball matches will be held in the first half of the Games, and baseball in the second half. The sports are included in the Olympics for the first time in 3 Games.
The schedule for swimming has yet to be determined due to conflicting opinions on what time the final contests should be held.
More details are expected to be decided around December.
