TOKYO — With the opening ceremony less than a day away, the Tokyo Olympics are about to begin in full force. Several events are already in the midst of competition, and Team USA’s softball team has already proven itself with a 2–0 start to the first Olympic softball tournament since 2008. Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s soccer team suffered a shocking 3–0 defeat against Sweden in its opening match and will look to rebound against New Zealand on Saturday.
As thousands of athletes gear up to begin the Games, COVID-19 remains an ever-present concern. At least 91 people associated with the Olympics have tested positive, including ten athletes. Several other athletes, including American tennis phenom Coco Gauff, will not be allowed to compete after receiving a positive test before departing for Japan. Follow along with our reporters on the ground in Tokyo throughout the Games for competition news, COVID-19 updates and more.
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Flagbearers to make history at opening ceremony
British rower Mohamed Sbihi will make history on Friday. The 2016 Rio de Janeiro gold medalist will become the first Muslim to carry the British flag at an opening ceremony.
“It is such an honor,” Sbihi told The Guardian. “It is an iconic moment within the Olympic movement – people remember those images.”
Sbihi was the first practicing…
