Olympic organizers have made a series of major, last-minute policy changes to reduce the risk of a superspreader event, but they declined to employ one particularly powerful tool: a vaccine mandate.
The big picture: Mandatory vaccinations would have been a massive logistical and ethical puzzle. But without one, the threat of infection will loom over the Olympic Village and could ultimately extend well beyond it.
An Olympic athlete and staff member are among six new positive cases of the coronavirus, the local Tokyo organizing committee said Thursday.
Why it matters: The announcement comes one day after the International Olympic Committee revealed that an official on the refugee team tested positive. Japanese people continue to protest the games amid the latest uptick in positive cases ahead of opening day July 23.
No. 8 (par 4) looking back to the tee from the green. Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images
The Open, the only men's golf major to shut down last year amid the pandemic, returned today at Royal St. George's in Sandwich, England.
Favorites: Jon Rahm (+800) had the best opening odds, per Caesars, followed by Rory McIlroy (+1400), Brooks Koepka (+1500), Jordan Spieth (+1600) and Xander Schauffele (+1800).
Forty-three minor league teams lost their MLB affiliation in 2020's restructuring, leaving some ballparks awaiting new fates.
The state of play: Some teams went independent or joined the new MLB Draft League. But in cities where minor league baseball disappeared, the challenge is now deciding what to do with those sleeping giants — and how to pay for it.
The Milwaukee Bucks came from behind in Game 4 to beat the Pheonix Suns, 109-103, in an instant classic that tied the NBA Finals at two games apiece.
By the numbers: Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 40 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything (26-14-8-3-2), and Pat Connaughton was huge off the bench (11 points, +21 plus-minus).
With just days to go before the Tokyo Olympics begin, Bloomberg reports that concerns are growing about pollution levels in Tokyo Bay, where the swimming portion of the triathlon is set to take place.
What's happening: A test for the swimming part of the Paratriathlon in the bay was canceled in August 2019 after E. coli bacteria was found at more than twice the limit set by triathlon officials — and after one athlete reportedly said the bay "smelled like a toilet."
A federal judge on Wednesday nullified Bob Baffert's New York suspension, saying the state's racing association acted unconstitutionally by not allowing the Hall of Fame horse trainer adequate time to refute the allegations against him, the Associated Press reports.
A report released Wednesday by the Justice Department's inspector general criticizes the FBI's handling of its investigation into sex abuse allegations against former Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar.
Why it matters: Nassar was sentenced in 2018 to 40–175 years in prison after more than 160 women — including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Simone Biles — accused Nassar of sexual assault and harassment under the premise of medical treatment.
Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics will hang medals around their own necks in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said Wednesday.
Why it matters: The announcement comes as Japan attempts to quash a surge in new COVID-19 cases. The country entered a state of emergency last week, and Japanese people have protested the government's decision to move forward with the games.
