Japan beats Australia 5-0 in the opening softball game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which otherwise opened to radio silence.
M. Naito Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
In the first competition of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Japanese softball team defeated Australia 8-1. The opening ceremony for these Games is scheduled on Friday.
Aside from the cheers of their teammates and the courteous praise of the Olympics officials, Japan’s dominance in Fukushima was not witnessed by any spectators.
Covid-19 has implemented a number of precautions, including limiting the number of spectators allowed at each event, to ensure that the Games will go on as planned, despite mounting opposition and an increasing number of confirmed instances.
Due to the Mercy Rule,
The game concluded after five innings, with Japan holding an insurmountable advantage thanks to a two-run homer in the top of the inning.
Australia’s softball players were among the first to go, arriving more than a month before the Olympics began. This is in contrast to the plight of many other competitors, who are either unable to enter Japan, are isolated in the Olympic Village, or have had to abruptly cancel their Olympic plans.
Temperatures reached 30 degrees Celsius midway through the game, despite the game beginning at 9 in the morning.
The Aussie Spirit took a 1-0 lead before Japan’s comeback. Covid-19 isn’t the only thing people are worried about; they also think these Games could break temperature records.
After an 11-year Hiatus, Softball will be Played at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Both softball and baseball were last featured at the Beijing 2008 Games. The Japanese softball team, fresh off a gold medal performance in Beijing, is eager to defend their title.
More softball and the kickoff of the women’s football event are on tap for later on the first day of competition. After the second day of play in Fukushima, just 65 kilometres from the 2011 nuclear tragedy, play will shift to Yokohama.
Conclusion
Even though the Games have started, there was some concern that they would be called off. Head of the Tokyo organising committee Toshiro Muto declined to rule out the idea on Tuesday after another surge in cases.