Tokyo's Olympic Stadium hosts track and field test event - in pictures

US sprinter Justin Gatlin among the 420 athletes participating in the event

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

Hundreds of athletes, including US sprinter Justin Gatlin, participated in a test event at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, as organisers fine-tuned operations and practiced Covid-19 countermeasures with under three months to go before the Tokyo Games begin.

No spectators were present in the stadium, where the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies will be held, as Tokyo remains under a state of emergency to tame a rise in coronavirus infections.

Sunday's event, involving 420 athletes, including nine from abroad, was split into morning and evening sessions with Gatlin on the start list for the 100-metre in the evening.

Despite the state of emergency, organisers have operated more than 11 test events since last month with no reported coronavirus cases resulting.

Four of those of events – volleyball, diving, marathon and Sunday's athletics

– included athletes from abroad.

Opinion surveys have shown that most Japanese oppose holding the Games this summer due to worries about the pandemic. Athletes, however, want the Games to go forward.

"People are really worried about people coming from overseas as coronavirus variants are spreading, but as an athlete I want the Olympics to be held with people from various countries running," said Suzuha Kobari, after participating in the women's 100-metre in the morning session.

Japanese rhythmic gymnast Nanami Takenaka said at a separate test event the previous day she understood there were opposing views, but that gave her team an extra reason to bring cheer through their performances.

"We'll focus on the things that we can do and when the Olympics are held we want to give our best performance so that people can smile and feel glad they took place," she said.

Sunday's morning session also included the men's shot put, the women's triple jump and the women's 200 metre.

The evening session is to include several events including finals for the pole vault, high jump, javelin throw and the men's 100 metre.