Olympics - Securing level playing field may not be possible due to virus: Coe

FILE PHOTO - Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's 200 Metres Final - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - October 3, 2019. IAAF President Sebastian Coe reacts. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

(Reuters) - Ensuring a level playing field for athletes during their Olympic preparations may not be possible due to the coronavirus pandemic but it is a challenge World Athletics will strive to overcome, its president Sebastian Coe said.

Europe has become the new epicentre of the flu-like virus that originated in China late last year and restrictions on movement in several nations have hit the training plans of athletes ahead of the July 24 to Aug. 9 Tokyo Games.