“I declare open the Games of Tokyo, celebrating the thirty second Olympiad of the modern era,” these were the words of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito of Japan while opening the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Now, as the World Championships are all set to begin in Tokyo from September 13, 2025, the Royal family of Japan will once again be marking their presence. What’s interesting is that Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson might have the chance to race in their presence.

A tweet by 月陸Online／月刊陸上競技 (translated to Tsukiriku Online / Monthly Track & Field), Japan’s first athletics web media, read (translated from Japanese), “Imperial family attends the event: On the evening of the 14th, Her Imperial Highness Princess Nobuko of Tomohito; on the evening of the 16th, Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako and His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito / #TokyoWorldAthletics.” Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson are supposed to race on those days.

The tweet further confirmed the dates stating in which events the Royal highness are expected to grace their presence at the National Stadium, “On the 14th, the men’s and women’s 100m finals will be held, and on the 16th, the men’s 110m hurdles final, among others, will take place. His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino will attend the opening ceremony.”

Only if there are no injuries to both the athletes, both of them qualify through their heats, and if there are no scheduling conflicts, Lyles and Richardson would run in the finals to clinch the World Championship titles in front of Her Imperial Highness Princess Nobuko.

More so, at the Opening ceremony on September 13th, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino will commence the official declaration of opening. Joining him will be President of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, and Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike.

Further, the opening performances will be led by Japanese Taiko drummers Kodo – an ensemble that explores traditional Japanese percussion and music. Then, the Japanese National Anthem will be performed by Tomotaka Okamoto, a celebrated male soprano, whose voice will herald the start of the Championships.

In fact, on Day-1, as the heats and preliminary rounds kick off, Sha’Carri Richardson is set to run in Heat 3 of the Women’s 100m roster. On the other hand, the Men’s 100m heat is scheduled to take place in evening session of the opening day.

Interestingly, on September 16th, Prince Hisahito (son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko) will also pay a visit to the Japan National Stadium to watch the World Athletics Championships in Shinjuku Ward with Princess Kako. With the presence of royalty in the stands and traditional performances on the opening day, Tokyo not only hosts the World Athletic Championships, but also sets a stage to represent its culture and traditions, don’t you agree?