Lord Coe hails Tokyo Olympics test event in Sapporo

A security guard stands with a note calling for refraining from watching a half-marathon in Sapporo (Kyodo/AP)

Lord Coe has said a half-marathon test event in Japan’s northern city of Sapporo has made him confident that the Olympic marathon can be held successfully in the city when the Tokyo Games open in just under three months.

Spectators were encouraged to stay off the streets and not watch the race in person.