Paralympics trials hybrid interview zones

Tokyo Olympics organizers tried out a hybrid mixed zone at a Paralympics test event on Monday (April 26), where some athletes appeared in person before reporters and others spoke online.

Since test events restarted this month, this was the first time that athletes turned up in person to the mixed zone - a staple of sporting events where they speak to reporters straight after competing.

Mayumi Narita, a Paralympic swimmer chosen to do an in-person interview, said she thought the testing protocols were troublesome, but she has gotten used to it.

"If we don't do these things then these tournaments cannot be held, so I think the athletes need to have awareness of this and do at least what they have to do, myself included."

On Sunday's (April 25) track cycling test event in Izu, organizers scrapped a planned in-person rider interviews.

Instead, four riders were selected to appear on an online meeting platform at the end of the day.

Barriers for the mixed zone were set up but went unused.

Paralympics organizers are trying to figure out how to hold events safely as Japan battles the global health crisis.

Japan declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three other areas from Sunday until May 11, less than three months before the Games are due to start.