‘Selected’ spectators to get Olympic tickets

Only “selected” spectators will be permitted at next month’s Beijing Olympics because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said Monday.

Beijing had already announced that no fans from outside the country would be permitted at the events, and had not offered tickets to the general public.

Monday’s announcement posted on the organizing committee’s website confirmed expectations that the Winter Games would have few onlookers at the venues, under even more strict conditions than imposed during last year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

China has largely avoided major virus outbreaks with a regimen of lockdowns, mass testing for COVID-19 and travel restrictions, although it continues to fight surges in several cities, including the port of Tianjin, about an hour from Beijing.

Preseason No. 1 Gonzaga climbed back atop The Associated

College basketball:

Press men’s college basketball poll on Monday, ending Baylor’s five-week run. The Bulldogs had 25 first-place votes, 11 fewer than No. 2 Auburn, but edged the Tigers in overall points. Auburn has its highest ranking since reaching No. 2 in 19992000 after moving up two spots. Arizona, Purdue and Baylor rounded out the top five.

NBA: Sasha Darius Garland strengthened his All-Star case with 22 points and 12 assists, leading the Cavaliers to a 1114-107 win Monday over the Nets, who began a stretch without injured superstar Kevin Durant. Isaac Okoro added 15 points and Jarrett Allen had 14 and 10 rebounds for the Cavs, who won their fifth straight. NHL: Timo Meier added a historic chapter to what’s already been a special season for him, setting the Sharks’ franchise record with five goals in a game. The Sharks used a huge first period — including Meier’s hat trick — to beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-2 on Monday.