Torch relay for Tokyo Olympics kicks off its 121-day journey,
The torch relay for the postponed Tokyo Olympics began its 121-day journey across Japan on Thursday and is headed toward the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.
The relay began in northeastern Fukushima prefecture, the area that was devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. About 18,000 people died in the tragedy.
The first runner with the torch was Azusa Iwashimizu, a key player in the Japan team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2011.
Pro football
SEAHAWKS SIGN DE HYDER JR. >> The Seattle Seahawks have bolstered their pass rush by signing former San Francisco defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr.
Hyder is coming off his best season after setting career highs in starts (14), sacks (8½) and tackles (49). BILLS AGREE TO SIGN FORMER 49ERS RB BREIDA >> The Buffalo Bills agreed to sign running back Matt Breida to a one-year contract.
Breida spent his first three seasons in San Francisco,
where he averaged 5 yards per carry.
Baseball
SLUGGER JIMÉNEZ OUT 5-6 MONTHS >>
Chicago White Sox slugger Eloy Jiménez is expected to be sidelined for five to six months after rupturing his left pectoral tendon trying to make a play in the outfield during an exhibition game.
Jiménez needs surgery to repair the injury, putting his season in jeopardy.
The 24-year-old Jiménez hit 31 homers in his
first year in the majors in 2019. He batted .296 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 55 games during the pandemic-shortened season. PITCHER GONZALEZ RETIRES >> Pitcher Gio Gonzalez says he has retired after 13 major league seasons.
The 35-year-old lefthander was a two-time AllStar, with Oakland in 2011 and Washington in 2012.
College basketball
OKLAHOMA COACH KRUGER RETIRES >> Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger announced his retirement, culminating a 35-year career that included taking five different schools to the NCAA Tournament — with two of them reaching the Final Four — and more than 650 career wins.
Kruger, 68, led Florida to the national semifinals in 1994 and Oklahoma to the same spot in 2016. His 674432 career record ranks 10th among active coaches in wins and 27th all time.
Golf
MACINTYRE BATTLES JOHNSON TO DRAW >> Bob MacIntyre had more than enough fight to give Dustin Johnson all he could handle in the Dell Technologies Match Play.
Johnson had to rally late with an eagle and a clutch birdie to send the match to the final hole, where both players missed birdie chances and settled for a tie.
MacIntyre, who trailed for most of the front nine at Austin Country Club and led for most of the back nine, walked away with a mixture of satisfaction and disappointment.
Ultimately, both remained in position to advance out of their group to the weekend knockout stage.