Yoshihide Kiryu and other Olympians run in an event on Dec. 21 to celebrate the completion of the new National Stadium, the main venue for 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. (Video by Toshiyuki Takeya and Hiroki Endo)

Photo/Illutration In an event to mark the completion of the new National Stadium, 2,020 runners selected from the public run on the stadium track in Tokyo on Dec. 21. (Toshiyuki Hayashi)

The new National Stadium got a thumbs-up from eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt on Dec. 21 after gala events to celebrate its completion that included Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu getting his first feel for the track.

Kiryu, the former Japanese record holder in the men’s 100 meters, ran 200 meters in an exhibition held in the morning at the stadium, which will serve as the main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

In the event organized by Asics Corp., 2,020 runners were invited to test out the track.

Although the track's surface is designed to create a bounce to make it easier for athletes to generate a greater driving force, Kiryu said the most important thing he gained from the day was a feel for the stadium.

“The feel of an athletic field changes, depending on the spectators,” he said.

At night, Kiryu ran before 60,000 spectators in a separate event. Michael Leitch, a member of the Japanese national rugby squad, and soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura, a former member of the Japanese national team, also made appearances.

“I am proud to be standing here and let’s make a new history,” said Miura, 52, who is still an active player, before he booted a ball in the stadium.

Bolt, of Jamaica, the world record holder in the men’s 100- and 200-meter sprints, praised the National Stadium as excellent, after running in a relay with Kiryu and other sprinters.