The Tokyo Olympics continued with softball on the agenda, while Germany meeting Brazil in Yokohama headlined a busy day of men’s football. However the build-up was overshadowed by news of emerging Covid cases among athletes and officials at the Games ahead of the opening ceremony.
Tokyo’s coronavirus infections surged to a six-month high with the host city recording 1,979 coronavirus cases just 24 hours before the Games’ officially begin. There have been a number of athletes reporting positive cases forcing them into isolation and potentially ending their hopes of competing, while the highly promising Team GB skeet shooter Amber Hill tested positive shortly before her flight and the “devastated” 23-year-old has been forced to stay at home.
The action started when Great Britain opened the women’s football competition with a comfortable 2-0 win over Chile in Sapporo. A double from striker Ellen White secured the win and there were plenty of positives for head coach Hege Riise as Team GB opened their tournament with three points. The first big shock of the Games came shortly afterwards as the reigning world champions USA were humbled 3-0 by Sweden in Tokyo, as their 44-game unbeaten run came to an end.
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