FOOTBALL: BRAZIL SERIE A Atletico Mineiro 1, Sao Paulo 0; Gremio 0, Atletico Paranaense 1; Flamengo 2, America Mineiro 0

MONDAY 21 JUNE 2021

New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson thrilled with his team's plansWe spoke about that, off the back of yesterday (Saturday) and the (rain) disruption. To start the way we did (yesterday) and to keep them (India) to what we did was pleasing.

Sport |19Kyle Jamieson

Sport

Hoggar de l’Ardus dominates Qatar Derby for 4YO Purebred ArabiansTHE PENINSULA - DOHA

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Gr1 P/A Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans was run at Chantilly yesterday and landed by Hoggar Dde l’Ardus (Mister Ginoux x Alfa De L’Ardus) (FR) in the colours of Her Excellency Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, and Edouard de Rotshchild, President of France Galop, were present at Chan-tilly and presented the trophies to the winners.

Hoggar Dde l’Ardus scored the 2000m contest impressively, announcing himself the crowned leader of four-year-old Purebred Arabians.

Ridden confidently by jockey

Maxime Guyon, the Thomas Fourcy-trained colt was still full of running as the field headed up the home straight. He easily pulled clear of the field 300m from the winning post and despite swerving across the track 100m later, he got the better of the favourite Abbes (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Raqiyah) by three lengths at the line. Abbes was always well-positioned against the rail, but flattened out when challenged and headed by eventual winner Hoggar Dde l’Ardus, who went clear. The His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned Abbes held on well in the closing stages and finished runner-up under Olivier Peslier, securing a one-two for Fourcy. The Olivier Trigodet (S)-trained and Anthony Crastus-ridden Soko (FR) (Nieshan x Saka) was further three and a half lengths behind in third.

“We couldn’t have dreamt of better,” said Thomas Fourcy, trainer of both Hoggar Dde l’Ardus and Abbes after the race. “I’ve always thought a lot of Abbes, who we’ve had since he was a three-year-old. Hoggar Dde l’Ardus, I got him this year and he has gone from strength to strength at home. The two were in perfect con-dition and they are both very, very good horses. Hoggar has a bit of char-acter, but a lot of ability.”

“Today was my first time sitting on Hoggar Dde l’Ardus,” commented Maxime Guyon. “But I had watched his races and I knew that he had a huge capacity to accelerate. That’s why I waited before asking him for an effort. He ducked sharply once he found himself in front, about 250m from the post, but that proved that he still had plenty in reserve and a lot of progression to be made.”

H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, and Edouard de Rotshchild, President of France Galop, pose for a group photograph.

Italy edge Wales as both teams advance to last 16REUTERS - ROME

Italy finished top of their Euro 2020 group yesterday as Matteo Pessina’s first-half goal helped a much-changed Azzurri side beat 10-man Wales 1-0 in Rome, while the visitors held on to second place despite the defeat.

The Italians had already guaranteed their progress from Group A, but they assured themselves of first place with victory, while Wales secured a berth too by finishing ahead of Switzerland on goal difference.

The Swiss, who could still advance as one of the four best third-placed teams, yesterday beat Turkey 3-1 in Baku.

Italy are now unbeaten in 30 games, equalling their all-time best run recorded from 1935 to 1939, and kept a clean sheet for an 11th consecutive match to underline their cre-dentials as potential tour-nament winners.

Pessina volleyed the dom-inant hosts in front at a lively Stadio Olimpico after 39 minutes as they put in an

impressive display despite coach Roberto Mancini making eight changes to his starting line-up.

Wales’ task was made harder when defender Ethan Ampadu was sent off in the 56th minute for a stamp on Federico Bernardeschi’s ankle minutes after the Italian winger’s free-

kick had struck the post.Italy’s relentless pressure

continued as they pushed for a second, but Gareth Bale squan-dered a rare chance to earn Wales a draw when he volleyed over unmarked from 12 yards.

Italy will face the runners-up of Group C next in London on June 26, while Wales will

take on the runners-up of Group B on the same d a y i n Amsterdam.

W i t h Italy already through to t h e k n o c k o u t s t a g e s , M a n c i n i made eight changes to his team, a joint record number for the Azzurri b e t w e e n games at a major tour-nament. But the new-

look Italy side appeared com-fortable on a hot, muggy evening in Rome.

Andrea Belotti flashed a shot wide from a tight angle, Chris Gunter headed narrowly over from a corner for the Welsh and Federico Chiesa’s volley was deflected off the line during a frantic five-minute spell

midway through the half. Marco Verratti, making his first appearance at Euro 2020 after a lengthy injury lay-off, was influential in midfield and played a key role in the goal after 39 minutes as he won a free-kick on the right wing and swung it in to the near post for Pessina to finish.

It was Italy’s seventh goal of the tournament, matching their best-ever tally from the 1998 World Cup after three group stage matches at a major tournament.

Mancini’s side were inches away from a second early in the second half when Bernardeschi cannoned a free-kick off the foot of the post, and a few minutes later the Italy winger had his foot stamped on by Ampadu, leading to the defender’s dismissal.

Wales’ job got even harder when they were reduced to 10 men, and the Italian pressure continued as Belotti’s close-range shot was blocked by Danny Ward. Wales had a golden chance to snatch a draw when a free-kick was headed into the path of the unmarked

Bale in the area, but the skipper blasted his finish over the bar.

Italy’s Matteo Pessina scores a goal against Wales at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy, yesterday.

Today's Fixtures

Group B10:00pm

Finland vs BelgiumRussia vs Denmark

Group C7:00pm

North Macedonia vs Netherlands

Ukraine vs Austria

FIFA Arab Cup qualifier: Oman beat Somalia in Doha thrillerTHE PENINSULA - DOHA

Former Gulf Cup champions Oman yesterday produced a fighting show to beat Somalia 2-1 to reach the main draw of the FIFA Arab Cup to be held in Qatar later this year.

After Sudan’s win on Sat-urday, Oman - the 2017 Gulf Cup champions - have now become the second team to emerge triumphant from the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 qualifiers after an entertaining encounter at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Ranked 80th in the world and facing a side 117 places lower, the Omanis were heavy favourites for this tie - and jus-tified that status with an impressive first-half per-formance. Mohsen Al Ghasani pounced on a rebound to fire them into an 11th-minute lead, and that was doubled 25 minutes later when the same player earned a penalty that was coolly converted by Salaah Al Yahyaei.

Somalia, though, showed real spirit in the second half and provided a dramatic finale after deservedly halving the deficit through a superb downward

header by Abel Gigli. Sudan held on for victory, however, and they will join hosts Qatar, Iraq, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Sudan - who qualified yesterday - in the tournament’s final phase from 30 November to 18 December.

The remaining qualifiers will determine the other five participants in the days ahead.

Meanwhile FIFA confirmed yesterday that following the standard PCR tests applied ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup qualification matches, some members of the delegation of the South Sudan national team have tested positive for Covid-19.

In line with the medical procedures in place, they have been placed in isolation and the

activities planned for today have been postponed.

Further details will follow in due course. Protecting the health and safety of all indi-viduals involved in the FIFA Arab Cup remains a top priority with a comprehensive program based on the WHO's risk-based approach being implemented in coordination with the host country. QNA

QFA and UFA extend MoU in Tashkent

QNA - TASHKENT

Following the successful implementation of the signed Memo-randum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Football Asso-ciations (QFA) and Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA), the two association presidents signed yesterday an extension and addendum to the MoU to include matters related to football integrity and event security.

The MoU was signed today by QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, and UFA’s counterpart Abdul-salom Aziziov. Both Presidents stressed the importance of this MoU and how it had been the catalyst for many collaborations over the past four years. They also pledged to continue the suc-cessful collaboration in order to continue the development of football in Qatar and Uzbekistan.

QFA President emphasized the long-standing relationship that connects both QFA and UFA.

He said: “I am very happy to be here today to sign this agreement and to extend our strong relationship. For the past few years, the MoU has been activated many times and both federations have benefited immensely. However, I would like to invite UFA to collaborate even further and would like to invite UFA to use all Qatar football and QFA facilities.”

For his part, UFA President pointed out the importance of football development especially with regards to player devel-opment which in turn will benefit national teams.

“I appreciate immensely what QFA has been doing in the past few years with the MoU activation. I look forward to working with QFA in the near future to try to capitalize on opportunities that this MoU offers both our federations.” Azizov added: “We are delighted to work closely together with QFA on issues related to football integrity and sports security.”

UFA President also praised Qatar for hosting many interna-tional football events in the build-up to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Noting that the expertise and experiences Qatar obtained can be a very good opportunity for future collaborations.

Oman player Salaah Al Yahyaei celebrates scoring a goal against Somalia in

Doha yesterday.

19MONDAY 21 JUNE 2021 SPORT

Verstappen wins French Grand Prix in styleAP - PARIS

Lewis Hamilton’s wish for a closer Formula One title fight is coming true.

And Max Verstappen looks like a rival who will take some stopping, judging by his impressive win at the French Grand Prix yesterday.

It was Verstappen’s second win in three races, and extended his lead over Hamilton to 12 points. Each driver has two pole positions and three wins, with both failing to score points in the other race.

It’s proving a remarkable contest between the 36-year-old defending champion and the 23-year-old would-be usurper to his crown.

A much more exciting one, too, considering Hamilton crushed the competition last year to win by 124 points, by 87 points in 2019, and by 88 in 2018.

It’s looking far, far closer this year.

Verstappen overtook Ham-ilton on Lap 52 of 53 in yester-day’s race. He used the DRS system to pass him on the inside before zooming to the 13th victory of his career. A bonus point for the fastest lap made it a great day for Red Bull, which had never beaten Mercedes on the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France.

It was a close call, though, with Red Bull’s gamble on a two-stop strategy for Ver-stappen countered by a one-stopper for Hamilton as

Mercedes kept him out on the same tires.

With five laps left, Hamilton was 3.5 seconds ahead.

Verstappen quickly ate into that lead, kept calm and then positioned himself perfectly to attack on a long straight in the way Hamilton has done countless times in his record 98 wins.

“When we made the call to do a two-stop, luckily it paid off,” Verstappen said. “We had to work hard for it.”

Verstappen, who won by 2.9 seconds, has 131 points to Ham-ilton’s 119.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez sneaked past a dejected Valtteri Bottas to take third place and strengthen Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship: 215 points to Mercedes’ 178.

“We pulled the trigger and we went with the two-stopper and it worked. And great job from Sergio making the one-stop work,” Red Bull team prin-cipal Christian Horner said. “The strategy guys are working the numbers and they go for it.”

Verstappen took an impressive pole position ahead of Hamilton and his team-mate Bottas. Verstappen got away cleanly, but then made a basic error cutting the kerb on Turn 1 and gifted Hamilton the lead.

“In the beginning it was so difficult with the wind. Really difficult to keep the car stable,” Verstappen said. “Just lost the rear, tried to correct it, correct it, correct it, but it kept going.”

He made up for it, and heads

confidently into the Styrian GP in a week’s time on Red Bull’s home track; followed by the Austrian GP a week later on the same circuit, nestled in the Styrian mountains.

Verstappen has already matched his career best for a season with three wins and looks a major threat for Ham-ilton, who is trying to win a record eighth F1 title to move one ahead of Michael Schumacher.

Red Bull has thrown down a huge marker to Mercedes, which has won every drivers’ and constructors’ championship since 2014. The previous four years were Red Bull doubles with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel, and Mercedes is under pressure now.

“I think it will be like this the rest of the season,” Verstappen said, smiling.

Red Bull have won three straight races, the other going to Perez, and Hamilton is sounding concerned.

“We’ve got to find some pace, that’s for sure,” the British driver said. “Most of the time we lost today was just the straights.”

Lando Norris finished fifth for McLaren, again beating his more experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who was sixth ahead of Pierre Gasly’s Alpha-Tauri and two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso in eighth.

It was another disap-pointing day for Bottas, who is fighting to keep his seat next year. He is only fifth in the

standings behind Norris and Perez. First, Bottas was over-taken by Verstappen after an undercut on Red Bull failed to work and then Perez overtook him almost as easily as Ver-stappen had done.

“Why did no one listen to me when I say this should’ve been a two-stopper?” the frus-trated Finnish driver barked on team radio.

Verstappen led by three seconds when his team changed tires for the second time on Lap 34, anticipating a similar move from Mercedes.

It looked like Red Bull may have got it wrong, but Ver-stappen proved them right to strike a blow in a thrilling title fight.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the French Grand Prix at Circuit

Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France, yesterday.

FRENCH GRAND PRIX RESULTS

At Paul Ricard CircuitLe Castellet, France.Lap length: 5.00 kilometers(Start position in parentheses)

1. (1) Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing, 53 laps, 1:27:25.770, 26 points.

2. (2) L Hamilton, Britain, Mercedes, 53, +2.904 seconds, 18.3. (4) Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Racing, 53, +8.811, 15.4. (3) Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 53, +14.618, 12.5. (8) Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren, 53, +1:04.032, 10.6. (10) Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, McLaren, 53, +1:15.857, 8.7. (6) Pierre Gasly, France, Alphatauri, 53, +1:16.596, 6.8. (9) Fernando Alonso, Spain, Alpine, 53, +1:17.695, 4.9. (12) S Vettel, Germany, Aston Martin, 53, +1:19.666, 2.10. (19) Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Martin, 53, +1:31.946, 1.11. (5) Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, Ferrari, 53, +1:39.337.12. (14) George Russell, Great Britain, Williams, 52, +1 lap.13. (20) Yuki Tsunoda, Japan, Alphatauri, 52, +1 lap.14. (11) Esteban Ocon, France, Alpine, 52, +1 lap.15. (13) Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing, 52, +1 lap.16. (7) Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 52, +1 lap.17. (17) Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing, 52, +1 lap.18. (16) Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams, 52, +1 lap.19. (15) M Schumacher, Germany, Haas F1 Team, 52, +1 lap.20. (18) Nikita Mazepin, Russia, Haas F1 Team, 52, +1 lap.

DRIVER STANDINGS1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing, 105 points.2. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 101.3. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Racing, 69.4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren, 66.5. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 52.6. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 47.7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, Ferrari, 42.8. Pierre Gasly, France, Alphatauri, 31.9. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Aston Martin, 28.10. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, McLaren, 26.11. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Alpine, 13.12. Esteban Ocon, France, Alpine, 12.13. Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Martin, 9.14. Yuki Tsunoda, Japan, Alphatauri, 8.15. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing, 1.16. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing, 1.

MANUFACTURERS STANDINGS1. Red Bull Racing, 174.2. Mercedes, 148.3. Ferrari, 94.4. McLaren, 92.5. Alphatauri, 39.6. Aston Martin, 37.7. Alpine, 25.8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 2.9. Haas F1 Team, 0.10. Williams, 0.

Marquez secures emotional first win in Germany since injury comebackREUTERS - BERLIN

Six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez held off KTM’s Miguel Oliveira to complete a thrilling comeback win at the German Grand Prix yesterday, taking the chequered flag for the first time since a career-threat-ening right-arm injury last year.

Despi te being unbeaten at the Sach-senring in his previous 10 appearances, Repsol Honda rider Marquez said on Saturday he could not think about extending that run after crashing out of the pre-vious three rounds this season.

But with the circuit’s quirky layout featuring 10 left corners and only three right, Marquez appeared to suffer less with his right arm and shoulder as he quickly moved from his fifth place on the grid to take the lead on the opening lap.

While rain began to fall on the eighth lap, Marquez continued to post a string of fastest laps to move 1.5 seconds clear of Oliveira.

The Spaniard was largely untroubled as he completed his fairytale comeback victory, 581 days after he last took the cheq-uered flag at the Valencia Grand Prix in 2019.

“I was also coming into the weekend

after posting three zeroes in a row. But today I knew I had a great opportunity,” Marquez said.

“When I saw the first few drops of rain, it felt like it was my race.”

The victory brings a sense of relief for Marquez, who fractured his right humerus in the 2020 season-opening Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez last July.

He did not race again all year, making his comeback only at Portuguese Grand Prix in April, the third race of the 2021 season.

“It was one of the most important and hardest moments of my career,” an emo-

tional Marquez said after winning his 83rd race across all classes.

“It was really hard to concentrate in the final laps as all the memories from last year were there. But we did it.”

Portuguese rider Oliveira secured his third-straight podium of the season, ahead of Yamaha’s Fabio Quar-tararo, who moved 22 points clear in the cham-pionship race.

Pramac Ducati’s pole-sitter Johann Zarco, currently second in the champi-onship standings, faded to eighth after a poor start to the race.

KTM’s Brad Binder emerged from 13th on the grid to cross the line in fourth, ahead of Ducati duo Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller, with Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro in seventh.

MotoGP results

1 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) 41m 7.243s2 Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.610s3 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +6.772s4 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +7.922s5 F Bagnaia ITA Ducati Team (GP21) +8.591s6 Jack Miller AUS Ducati Team (GP21) +9.086s7 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) +9.371s8 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP21) +11.439s9 Joan Mir SPA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) +11.625s10 Pol Espargaro SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +14.769s

Jamieson, Conway put New Zealand in charge of WTC finalREUTERS - SOUTHAMPTON

Kyle Jamieson wrecked India with the ball and opener Devon Conway compiled a half-century to put New Zealand in a commanding position in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) yesterday.

Jamieson claimed 5-31, his fifth five-wicket haul in his eighth Test, to help bowl out India for a below-par 217.

New Zealand reached 101-2, 116 runs behind, when bad light forced early stumps at the Ageas Bowl.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, batting on 12, and Ross Taylor, who was yet to score, will return today looking to push for a significant first-innings lead.

Earlier, resuming on 146-3, India fell short of the 250-mark which they believed would be a par total at this ground.

Jamieson, often using his 6’8” frame to generate extra bounce, picked up the prize wickets of a set Virat Kohli and the dangerous Rishabh Pant to effectively snuff out any such hopes.

India captain Kohli could not add to his overnight score

of 44 and fell lbw, a decision he got reviewed but not overturned.

Pant made four before per-ishing in the slips after a wild slash at an away-swinging delivery.

Ajinkya Rahane made a dogged 49 but fell to a leg-side trap, pulling Neil Wagner to Tom Latham who had just been deployed at midwicket

precisely for that kind of dismissal.

Ravichandran Ashwin made 22 but Jamieson returned to mow down the tail even though Mohammed Shami denied him a hat-trick.

India lost their last three wickets in four deliveries.

New Zealand mounted a strong reply with Latham, who scored 30, and Conway adding

70 runs for the opening stand.In India’s three-pronged

seam attack, only Shami managed to trouble the openers with his ability to generate awkward bounce.

Ashwin finally broke the stand, deceiving Latham with change of pace, but Conway could not be denied his fifty.

The left-hander made 54 before chipping Ishant Sharma

to Shami at mid-on in the final over. today’s play began 30 minutes late because of a wet outfield. Rain had washed out the entire opening day’s play on Friday and only 64.4 overs could be bowled on Saturday.

The weather-hit match has a reserve day to make up for lost time.

DE KOCK MISSES TON BUT SOUTH AFRICA IN CONTROL OF SECOND WINDIES TEST

South Africa's Quinton de Kock fell four runs short of suc-cessive centuries but the tourists took charge of the second and final test against West Indies by the close of the second day’s

play in Saint Lucia on Saturday.

De Kock chased a wide delivery from seamer Kyle Mayers (3-28) and was caught at gully for 96, having scored an unbeaten 141 in the first Test, as South Africa were bowled out for 298 in their first innings.

West Indies battled in their reply and were dismissed for 149 on the close of play as innings top-scorer Jermaine Blackwood (49) perished going in search of his half-century, leaving the hosts trailing by 149 runs.

The South African bowlers shared the wickets with seamers Wiaan Mulder (3-1), Kagiso Rabada (2-24) and Lungi Ngidi (2-27) all making use of the helpful track, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-47) also pitched in, including the scalp of Blackwood who skied a delivery to Dean Elgar at mid-off.

West Indies were bowled out for 97 and 162 in the first Test and those frailties were evident again as they battled with the quality of the South African seam quartet on a wicket that is providing assistance to the bowlers.

New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket of India’s Ishant Sharma on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Rose Bowl, Southampton, Britain, yesterday.

India (I innings) .................................217New Zealand (I innings) ..........................Tom Latham c Kohli b Ashwin ........................30

Devon Conway c Shami b I Sharma ...............54

Kane Williamson (c) not out .......................... 12

Ross Taylor not out` ........................................... 0

Extras: (lb 3, nb 2) ....................................5 Total: (49 overs, RR: 2.06) ..............101/2 Yet to bat: Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling †, Colin de

Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil

Wagner, Trent Boult

Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-101

Bowling: Ishant Sharma 12-4-19-1; Jasprit Bum-

rah 11-3-34-0; Mohammed Shami 11-4-19-0; Ravi-

chandran Ashwin 12-5-20-1; Ravindra Jadeja 3-1-

6-0

SCOREBOARD

18MONDAY 21 JUNE 2021SportOrganisers show off Olympic village a month before Games beginTOKYO - REUTERS

Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics opened the athletes’ village to the media yesterday, showing off apartments and a timber-laced shopping plaza where 11,000 athletes would stay and mingle during the sporting extravaganza.

The once-delayed Games are due to start on July 23 amid concern that the influx of thousands of people from around the world would contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

Japan has avoided the kind of explosive out-breaks that crippled many other countries. But

its vaccination programme has been slow and the medical system pushed to the brink in parts of the country. The government’s drive to hold the Games has been criticised by hospitals and doctors’ unions. Underscoring the concern, a Ugandan athlete arriving in Japan late on Sat-urday for a preparation camp ahead of the Olympics was found to be infected with the virus, public broadcaster NHK said. Athletes will be shuttled in and out of the village and be tested for the coronavirus every day.

Olympic rules ban singing and chanting during events, with masks required at almost all times.

“We want this to be an athletes’ village that the athletes will remember, but at the same time they must follow very strict rules about masks,” said Saburo Kawabuchi, mayor of the Tokyo 2020 athletes’ village. “Except when eating, training, competing and sleeping, they must wear masks constantly, which is a very trying circumstance for global athletes.”

Organisers were originally planning to feed residents of the village in vast dining halls - the largest with a capacity to seat 4,500 people. But now, organisers will ask athletes to dine alone, maintain social distancing from others and wipe

down surfaces after eating to curb the spread of the virus. The shopping area of the village fea-tures an automatic teller machine, dry cleaner, post office, bank and courier counter.

The wooden plaza, which draws on Japanese minimalist design aesthetics, follows the Tokyo 2020 theme of using timber in the construction of Olympics venues, including the National Stadium. The $22m shopping area was made from 40,000 pieces of timber donated by 63 Japanese municipal governments. Each donated piece is marked with the name of the area that provided the wood.