The Tokyo Olympics organizers on Tuesday said they were encouraged by a gymnastics meet over the weekend and are now ready to hold test events early next year.
Sunday's event involved 22 athletes from Japan, China, Russia and the United States, and the Japanese Gymnastics Association on Tuesday said that there had been no positive tests among athletes or staff.
The gymnasts who entered Japan first quarantined at home. In Tokyo, they were isolated in hotel rooms and tested daily for COVID-19.
Likewise, the 2,000 fans allowed into the stadium had their temperatures checked upon entry.
Spectators wear face masks during a friendly international gymnastics match in Tokyo, Japan, November 8, 2020. /VCG
Federation International de Gymnastique President Morinari Watanabe praised the athletes' attitude and said their confidence had been bolstered, following a meeting with Tokyo 2020 organizers.
"They were worried they might be infected and you can see that fear deep into their eyes. But each day that they spent time in Japan, they managed to ease their fears," he said.
The Olympics organizers were also encouraged by the news about Pfizer Inc's experimental COVID-19 vaccine, but they have long stressed that a vaccine is not needed for next year's Olympic Games to go ahead, so the vaccine has not been part of their preparations.
Zhang Jin of China competes on the floor during a friendly international gymnastics match in Tokyo, Japan, November 8, 2020. /VCG
The Olympics will involve 11,000 athletes from 206 nations and territories competing over more than two weeks. The Summer Olympics also usually draws tens of thousands of officials, judges, coaches, media, broadcasters, sponsors, and VIPs.
The subsequent Paralympics will involve 4,400 athletes.
It's unclear how many fans will be allowed into the venues and whether non-Japanese spectators will be allowed.
(With input from agencies)