Tokyo Olympics

U.S. Women's Soccer Squad In Tokyo Will Reunite Winning World Cup Team

1:32pm June 23, 2021

by Laurel Wamsley

The roster includes Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle — and Carli Lloyd, who turns 39 next month, will play in her fourth Games. Fans will expect the squad to repeat their World Cup greatness.

The Olympic Rings near the National Stadium in Tokyo. Critics of the decision to allow local spectators into the games warn the huge event could lead to an increase in coronavirus infections.

Tokyo Olympics Will Open Its Doors To A Small Fan Base — COVID Permitting

5:06pm June 21, 2021

Up to 10,000 domestic fans will be allowed at events, or 50% of the venue's capacity, whichever is less, Olympics organizers said Monday.

Sports

Winston-Salem Native Kathleen Baker Falls Short In Bid For Tokyo Olympics

4:18pm June 21, 2021

by Paul Garber

Olympic medalist and Winston-Salem native Kathleen Baker has fallen short in her efforts to make this summer's Tokyo games.

The International Olympic Committee plans to implement strict virus-prevention measures that include segregation of athletes from the general population and a ban on overseas fans.

U.S. Lowers The Travel Risk Rating For Japan, Where COVID Still Shadows The Olympics

8:20pm June 08, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

The revised guidelines are not an enthusiastic endorsement of travel, moving Japan from the highest risk ranking to a tier below. But the change comes as Japan struggles with a surge in infections.

People carry a banner reading "Extinguish the Olympic torch" during a march in Tokyo last week calling for the cancellation of the Summer Olympics. The government insists the games will go on despite concerns about the coronavirus.

Japan Just Extended Its 3rd State Of Emergency Weeks Before The Olympics Begin

12:58pm May 28, 2021

by Anthony Kuhn

Even though polls show the great majority of Japanese want to cancel the Tokyo Summer Olympics because of the risk of COVID-19 infections, Japan's prime minister insists the games will go on.

A demonstrator holds a placard during an anti-Olympics demonstration in Tokyo on Monday. A prominent doctors association has joined calls to cancel the Summer Games in Tokyo.

Cancel The Olympics, Says Tokyo Doctors Association

1:01pm May 18, 2021

Tokyo-area hospitals "have their hands full," the Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association says in an open letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The group represents some 6,000 primary care doctors.

A crowd demonstrates against the Tokyo Olympics earlier this month in Tokyo. With less than three months remaining until the Olympics, concern lingers in Japan over the feasibility of hosting such a huge event during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Opposition To Tokyo Games Grows Heated Amid COVID Concerns

2:34pm May 14, 2021

by Anthony Kuhn

The Japanese government remains adamant that the games will proceed as planned, even as local governments and protesters express rising concern about hosting the event during the pandemic.

Queue Listen Now

The last Olympic torch relay runner for the Osaka leg concludes the event in Suita, north of Osaka, western Japan, last month.

Pfizer To Vaccinate Olympic Athletes As Japan Mulls Extending Pandemic Restrictions

11:33am May 06, 2021

by Scott Neuman

With the Tokyo Games weeks away, the pharmaceutical company and its German partner, BioNTech, have agreed to donate the necessary doses.

Tokyo Games Delivery Officer Hidemasa Nakamura holds a sample of an updated version of the playbook during a news briefing on Wednesday.

Athletes At Tokyo Olympics To Be Tested Daily For Coronavirus, Officials Say

1:39pm April 28, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The games, already delayed by a year due to COVID-19, are set to begin July 23 despite reluctance by many Japanese to go ahead with the Olympics amid the ongoing pandemic.

A woman wearing a protective mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walks in front of he Olympic Rings on Tuesday in Tokyo. North Korea says it will not attend the games over COVID-19 fears.

Citing Pandemic Fears, North Korea Says It Won't Attend Tokyo Olympics

10:36am April 06, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Pyongyang will skip the games, shattering South Korea's hopes that the games might revive stalled peace talks between the bitter rivals.