Japan won its second straight Olympic softball gold medal, beating the United States 2-0 in an emotional repeat of their 2008 victory in Beijing that again left the Americans in tears.
Cat Osterman and the United States began its quest to regain the Olympic softball gold medal. She pitched one-hit ball over six innings and struck out nine to beat Italy 2-0.
The U.S. women's national team has become adept at shutting out all the outside distractions at big tournaments and the Tokyo Olympics are no different.
Japan's professional baseball and soccer leagues will begin allowing fans this week. Soccer and baseball officials said the first day with fans will be Friday.
The chief executive of the Tokyo Games says he can’t guarantee the postponed Olympics will be staged next year because the coronavirus continues to spread in Japan.
Eight countries have stayed in the bidding contest to host the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Belgium and Bolivia dropping out. FIFA says all candidates will be inspected.