Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Japan beat Australia in softball as Games begin in near silence

Hosts win 8-1 at fan-less stadium in Fukushima, getting Covid-19-delayed Games under way

Growing concerns over pandemic after positives in athletes’ village and Japanese summer heat ahead of opening ceremony

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Japanese players celebrate a run scored by Minori Naito during the softball win over Australia, marking the unofficial start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo: AP

Published: 11:43am, 21 Jul 2021Updated: 11:52am, 21 Jul 2021

The Japanese softball team started the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics in some style, with an 8-1 win over Australia in the first action of the Games, two days ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony.

However, the win in Fukushima was played in front of no fans and Japan’s dominance was greeted only by polite applause from Olympics staff and the cheers of teammates.

A lack of spectators is just one of the Covid-19 measures put in place to ensure that the Games go ahead in the face of growing opposition and rising cases.

The game ended after five innings because of the mercy rule, with Japan’s two-run homer at the top of the inning putting them in an unassailable lead.

Team Japan and Team Australia players stand during national anthems ahead of the opening game of the softball. Photo: EPA

While many athletes are struggling to get into Japan, are isolating in the Olympic Village or have had to cancel their Olympic plans at the last minute, Australia’s softball players were among the first to travel, arriving over a month ago.

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