One Year Late, Tokyo Olympics Sports Finally Underway
Muhammad Rameez Published July 21, 2021 | 10:00 AM
Tokyo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2021 ) :The Tokyo Olympics sports programme finally opened after a year's pandemic delay with softball in disaster-hit Fukushima on Wednesday as the Games suffered their first drugs controversy.
Japan thrashed Australia 8-1 in the first action of the 2020 Games, which are struggling for public support with Tokyo under a state of emergency following a surge in coronavirus cases.
Fans are barred from most of the Olympics and the game took place in front of empty stands at Fukushima, which was ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2011.
The Olympics are being staged in biosecure "bubble" conditions, with athletes tested daily and under orders to stay socially distanced and wear masks when not competing, training, eating or sleeping.
Later, the Australian city of Brisbane is expected to be confirmed as host of the 2032 Olympics in a vote at the International Olympic Committee session.
As the sport programme started, Australian showjumper Jamie Kermond was provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine on June 26.
Under Australia's anti-doping policy, he now has the opportunity to have his B-sample analysed. Australian reports said Kermond did not travel to Tokyo with the rest of the team.
"Mr. Kermond is prohibited from participating in any WADA-compliant event, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while the provisional suspension is in place," Equestrian Australia said.
- No 'zero risk' - Meanwhile World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the International Olympic Committee session that the Games could never be "zero risk".
"There is no zero risk in life; there is only more risk, or less risk. And you have done your best," he told the socially distanced, mask-wearing delegates.
"The mark of success in the coming fortnight is not zero cases... The mark of success is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible," he added.
Another eight Games-related coronavirus cases were announced, taking the total to 79.
Brisbane, Australia's third-biggest city, is the sole candidate and has been named as the "preferred bidder" for 2032, making it all but certain to be named as host.
But the vote is "not a done deal", IOC communications director Mark Adams insisted.
"This is not a done deal because it's still up to the session to decide," Adams said on Tuesday.
"They can decide to put the issue back in the pot -- there are still a number of interested cities."Although no fans were present at the softball in Fukushima, one unexpected spectator was spotted before the game: a bear, which appeared late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday.
"We couldn't find or capture the bear, and while there won't be any spectators at the stadium, we are on alert and searching for the bear around the site," a police spokesman told AFP.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
4 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
10 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
11 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
13 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
13 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
13 hours ago
-
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
13 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
13 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
13 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
13 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
13 hours ago -
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
15 hours ago