When does athletics start at the Olympics? Full schedule for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – and how to watch on TV

The athletics events will begin on Friday 30 July with 48 medals up for grabs across the Games
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The Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been underway for five days with a host of sports supplying the drama and excitement that the Games always provide.

Considered one of the most popular events at the Games, the Athletics will be taking place in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.

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Team GB has seen some memorable moments on the track over the last four Olympics, but the athletes will be competing in an atmosphere like no other this year.

A general view as athletes run in the in the Women's 400m final at Rio 2016 (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)A general view as athletes run in the in the Women's 400m final at Rio 2016 (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
A general view as athletes run in the in the Women's 400m final at Rio 2016 (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Due to Covid-19 restrictions in Japan, the Games are taking place without any spectators in the venues.

Here’s all you need to know about when the athletics events begin at Tokyo 2020.

When does athletics start at the Olympics?

The athletics events will begin this week on Friday 30 July.

Field event world records. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)Field event world records. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
Field event world records. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
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There will be ten days of competition inside the Olympic Stadium, with 48 medals up for grabs across the men’s and women’s track and field events.

The signature 100 metre finals will be held over the weekend, with the women’s 100m final being held on Saturday 31 July, and the men’s on Sunday 1 August. Both events kick off at 1:50 pm BST.

How to watch the athletics at the Olympics in the UK?

The Games are available to watch live in the UK on BBC One and the BBC Red Button every day.

Greg Rutherford of Great Britain on his way to winning the gold medal in the Men's Long Jump Final at London 20212  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Greg Rutherford of Great Britain on his way to winning the gold medal in the Men's Long Jump Final at London 20212  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Greg Rutherford of Great Britain on his way to winning the gold medal in the Men's Long Jump Final at London 20212 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Live coverage begins daily from around midnight to 3pm.

If you miss any action during the day, the BBC’s Olympic highlight show ‘Today at the Games’ is on daily throughout the Games at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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Events can be watched back in their entirety via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Red Button.

However, due to limitations in the BBC’s Olympic rights deal, they are only allowed to show two live events at a time.

If you want to watch the Olympics in its entirety, the option is available via Eurosport and Discovery Plus.

A Discovery Plus subscription costs £6.99 a month or £39.99 a year, and viewers can add this to their Sky, BT or Virgin contract.

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What is the Olympic athletics schedule?

100m Women: Heats (30 Jul morning), Finals (31 Jul evening)

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Men: Prelims (31 Jul morning), Heats (31 Jul evening), Finals (1 Aug evening)

200m Women: Heats (2 Jul evening), Finals (3 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (3 Aug morning), Finals (4 Aug evening)

400m Women: Heats (3 Aug morning), Finals (6 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (1 Aug morning), Finals (5 Aug evening)

800m Women: Heats (31 Jul morning), Finals (3 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (31 Jul morning), Finals (4 Aug evening)

1500m Women: Heats (2 Aug morning), Finals (6 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (3 Aug morning), Finals (7 Aug evening)

5000m Women: Heats (30 Jul evening), Finals (2 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (3 Aug evening), Finals (6 Aug evening)

10,000m Women: 7 Aug evening

Men: 30 Jul evening

110m hurdles Women: Heats (31 Jul morning), Finals (2 Aug morning)

Men: Heats (3 Jul evening), Finals (5 Aug morning)

400m hurdles Women: Heats (31 Jul morning), Finals (4 Aug morning)

Men: Heats (30 Jul morning), Finals (3 Aug morning)

Steeplechase Women: Heats (1 Aug morning), Finals (4 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (30 Jul evening), Finals (2 Aug evening)

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4x100m relay Women: Heats (5 Aug morning), Finals (6 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (5 Aug morning), Finals (6 Aug evening)

4x400m relay Women: Heats (5 Aug evening), Finals (7 Aug evening)

Men: Heats (6 Aug evening), Finals (7 Aug evening)

Mixed: Heats (30 Jul evening), Finals (31 Jul evening)

Marathon Women: 7 Aug morning

Men: 8 Aug morning

20km walk Women: 6 Aug evening

Men: 5 Aug evening

50km walk Men: 6 Aug morning

Long jump Women: Qualifying (1 Aug morning), Finals (3 Aug morning)

Men: Qualifying (31 Jul evening), Finals (2 Aug morning)

Triple jump Women: Qualifying (30 Jul evening), Finals (1 Aug evening)

Men: Qualifying (3 Aug morning), Finals (5 Aug morning)

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High jump Women: Qualifying (5 Aug morning), Finals (7 Aug evening)

Men: Qualifying (30 Jul morning), Finals (1 Aug evening)

Pole vault Women: Qualifying (2 Aug evening), Finals (5 Aug evening)

Men: Qualifying (31 Jul morning), Finals (3 Aug evening)

Shot put Women: Qualifying (30 Jul evening), Finals (1 Aug morning)

Men: Qualifying (3 Aug evening), Finals (5 Aug morning)

Discus Women: Qualifying (31 Jul morning), Finals (2 Aug evening)

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