The event, known as the Japan Para Championships Boccia, had been scheduled to take place at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre, the venue for the sport at Tokyo 2020, from February 28 to March 1.

But the Japan Para Sports Association (JPSA) has informed Tokyo 2020 organisers that the event has been "temporarily placed on hold until a final decision can be made on staging the event".

"The JPSA has concluded that further time is necessary to fully analyse the potential impacts should the novel coronavirus affect an athlete," a Tokyo 2020 statement reads.

"Tokyo 2020 nevertheless will carry out the test event in some form, after ensuring a safe and secure environment, and will consult with the IPC (International Paralympic Committee), IF (International Federation), and other relevant organisations to determine the content of such tests.

"The JPSA has also informed us that they are ready to collaborate alongside the National Federation to the fullest extent of their ability, depending on the content of the tests."

Meanwhile, Tokyo 2020 confirmed the sport climbing test event, set to be held at Aomi Urban Sports Park from March 6 to 8, will go ahead as originally planned. 

"We will continue to stay in close collaboration with all relevant organisations as we prepare to deliver a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games," the statement adds.

International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission chairman John Coates recently moved to further reassure athletes and spectators they will be safe to attend Tokyo 2020 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Concerns over the impact of the coronavirus, which originated in Chinese city Wuhan and was given the official name of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the Olympics and Paralympics have grown in recent weeks.

Overall, there have now been 2,118 deaths and nearly 75,000 confirmed infections recorded in mainland China.

In Japan there have been 84 cases and one death.