National

First lady Jill Biden will travel to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 23, the White House announced Tuesday.

Driving the news: The White House's announcement comes a week after Japan's Olympics minister said that the Games — which are scheduled to run until Aug. 8 — will be held without spectators after Japan declared a COVID-19 state of emergency in its capital.

The White House said it would provide additional details on the first lady's traveling plans later. 

President Biden will not be attending the Games, but "will be rooting for the athletes," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month. 

Go deeper: How the Olympics' last-minute fan ban will transform the Tokyo Games

Jill Biden to travel to opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics

President Biden will not be attending the games.

Jill Biden

Beijing Winter Olympics

First lady Jill Biden will travel to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 23, the White House announced Tuesday.Driving the news: The White House&#x27;s announcement comes a week after Japan&#x27;s Olympics minister said that the Games — which are scheduled to run until Aug. 8 — will be held without spectators after Japan declared a COVID-19 state of emergency in its capital.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.