On July 12, The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games opened up the Nishi 2–4-chome blocks of Odori Park in Chuo-ku, Sapporo – the start/finish point of the Olympic marathon and racewalking events – to the press. The setting-up of the venue is almost complete, with only equipment such as desks and the like to be brought in for the actual Olympic events, to be held from August 5 to 8.

As part of Coronavirus infection measures, the venue has been fenced off to prevent athletes and officials coming into contact with members of the public. Facilities where athletes, coaches and officials gather, such as team tents of the countries competing, and anti-doping test facilities, have been established on the 2-chome block.

On the 3-chome block, a post-race athlete’s interview space and medical room have been established, as well as a national flag stand that is colored red – the theme color of the Sapporo venue. The 4-chome block includes an Olympic Broadcasting Service (OBS) station, to supply international images of the event.

According to the Public Relations division of The Organising Committee, “We’ve tried to make the venue as compact as possible so that the lives of local residents are not affected.”