Torch relay begins for Tokyo Olympics
TOKYO — 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 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.
More Olympics: Russia wants to use music by 19th-century composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky as its replacement anthem for the Tokyo Olympics, the president of the country’s Olympic committee said. Russia’s team name, flag and national anthem were banned for two years from the Olympics and world championships in December.
Figure skating: The faceoff between Yuzuru Hanyu and Nathan Chen was no contest. Japan’s Hanyu, looking every bit the champion of the sport, won the short program Thursday at the World Figure Skating Championships, distancing himself from Chen when the American fell on his opening quadruple lutz while Hanyu was sheer perfection.
Soccer: Four days after scoring his first two goals for Barcelona as a right back, 20-year-old Sergino Dest shifted to the left and got his first international goal with a spectacular 25-yard strike. Dest’s 34th-minute goal sparked the United States to a 4-1 win over Jamaica in an exhibition in Wiener Neustadt, Austria . ... European giants Germany, Italy and England all got off to a winning start in World Cup qualifying . ... The men’s and women’s NCAA Division I soccer tournaments will be held in Cary, N.C., and surrounding areas under a plan approved by an oversight committee.
Tennis: Top-ranked Ash Barty rallied from a big third-set deficit to win her opening match against qualifier Kristina Kucova, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, at the Miami Open.