Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Tokyo Olympics to be held without spectators

Tokyo Olympics to be held without spectators

SPECTATORS will be banned from Olympic venues in Tokyo because of a virus state of emergency, Japan's Olympic minister announced on Thursday (8), meaning the Games will happen mostly behind closed doors.

"We reached an agreement on no spectators at venues in Tokyo," Tamayo Marukawa said after talks involving local and national government officials, organisers and Olympic and Paralympic chiefs.


Most Olympic competition will happen in Tokyo, but a few events will be held outside the Japanese capital.

Marukawa said that, in other areas, organisers would decide on "concrete measures" for spectators after discussions with each local governor.

The public has already been asked to stay away from the marathon, which is being held in the northern Hokkaido region to beat Tokyo's summer heat.

And large parts of the torch relay traversing the country have also been held behind closed doors because of virus concerns.

The spectator decision comes after Japan's government said Thursday that Tokyo would be under a virus state of emergency from July 12 to August 22.

The measure is much looser than harsh lockdowns seen elsewhere, but comes with infections rising in the capital and concern about the increased prevalence of the Delta variant.

(AFP)

More For You

Amanda Anisimova

The last American woman remaining in the draw

Getty Images

Amanda Anisimova stuns Aryna Sabalenka to reach maiden Wimbledon final

Highlights

  • Amanda Anisimova defeats world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets
  • The American advances to her first Grand Slam final
  • Sabalenka’s run of Grand Slam finals ends
  • Anisimova will face either Swiatek or Bencic on Saturday
  • With the win, Anisimova is projected to reach world No. 7

American tennis star Amanda Anisimova produced the biggest win of her career by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the semi-finals of Wimbledon on Thursday. The result sends the 23-year-old into her first Grand Slam final, where she will face either Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic on Saturday.

The contest on Centre Court lasted two hours and 37 minutes and was interrupted twice during the first set due to spectators feeling unwell in the heat. Despite the stoppages, both players maintained their focus in a match marked by intense rallies and shifting momentum.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bumrah

Bumrah replaced Prasidh Krishna in the line-up. (Photo: Getty Images)

England first in third Test as Bumrah returns for India

ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat in the third Test against India at Lord’s on Thursday.

The decision brought India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah straight back into action after missing the second Test. Bumrah, currently the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, had been rested for the match at Edgbaston, where India defeated England by 336 runs to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jannik Sinner

Sinner has now won an incredible 20 successive Tour-level matches

Getty Images

Jannik Sinner reaches Wimbledon semis after straight-sets win over Shelton

Highlights:

  • Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 to reach his second Wimbledon semi-final.
  •  
  • The world No. 1 showed no signs of elbow trouble, bouncing back after his previous injury scare.
  •  
  • Sinner was clinical on key points, breaking Shelton late in the second and third sets.
  •  
  • He extended his winning streak to 20 straight matches against American players.
  •  
  • The 23-year-old will now face Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2023 semi-final.

  • World number one Jannik Sinner shrugged off any doubts about his injured elbow to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second time with a clinical defeat of powerful American 10th seed Ben Shelton on Wednesday.

    A high-octane contest on a muggy Court One was decided by slender margins with Italian Sinner seizing the few opportunities that came his way in ruthless fashion for a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 victory.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Djokovic

    Djokovic dusted himself off and served out the victory

    Getty Images

    Novak Djokovic cruises past Cobolli for record 14th Wimbledon semi spot

    Highlights:

    • Djokovic beats Cobolli in four sets to reach last four
    • Serbian, seeking 25th Grand Slam title, next faces Sinner
    • Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon singles semi-final

    Novak Djokovic was given an early scare but continued his bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon trophy and standalone 25th Grand Slam title by beating Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-7(6) 6-2 7-5 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals.

    The 38-year-old's fightback helped him reach a record 14th singles semi-final at the All England Club, where he will face top seed Jannik Sinner, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or Taylor Fritz awaiting in the title clash.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Iga Swiatek

    After years of nightmare outings at the spiritual home of lawn tennis,

    Getty Images

    Iga Swiatek storms into first Wimbledon semi-final after crushing win

    Highlights:

    • Swiatek completes full set of Grand Slam semi-final appearances
    • Polish eighth seed will meet Bencic in last four
    • Swiatek extends record over Samsonova to 5-0

    The balls kept on listening to Iga Swiatek on Wednesday as the Polish eighth seed walloped Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.

    After years of nightmare outings at the spiritual home of lawn tennis, Swiatek appears to have finally conquered her grasscourt demons as she said the "ball has been really listening" to her at Wimbledon this year.

    Keep ReadingShow less