ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JUNE 25-26, 2021 SPORTS 15

Organizers urged to take every possible anti-virus measures Japan emperor ‘worried’ about Olympics amid pandemic TOKYO, June 24, (AP): Japan’s Emperor Naruhito is “ex- sible anti-virus measures so as not to cause the spread of Suga eased a third state of emergency in Tokyo that had tremely worried” that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics the infections at the Olympics and Paralympics, where the been in place since late April and switched to less-stringent could accelerate the spread of the coronavirus, the head of emperor serves the Honorary Patron.” measures focusing on shorter bar and restaurant hours. But the Imperial Palace said Thursday with the games opening The emperor is the symbol of the state with no political experts said Wednesday that infections are already bouncing in one month. power. But like his father, Naruhito has gained broad popu- back in the Tokyo region and could accelerate in coming The games will bring thousands of foreign athletes, of- larity and his words are highly respected. weeks. fi cials, sponsors and journalists to Japan during a pandemic, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is determined to hold the Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, downplaying despite caution raised by experts about the risk of infections Olympics despite concerns from the public and public health the impact of emperor’s concern, said he believed the grand and the public’s persistent calls for cancellation or further experts. steward expressed “his personal views.” postponement. Naruhito, 61, also expressed his concern about the pan- Yasuhiko Nishimura, grand steward of the Imperial demic in his speech at an academic award ceremony Mon- Household Agency, told a news conference that the Emperor OLYMPICS day: “In order to overcome this challenge, it is important for has voiced concerns. In this Oct. 26, 2020 file photo, Japan’s Emperor Na- all of us, in and outside of Japan, to bring our hearts together “His majesty is extremely worried about the current situ- ruhito wearing a face mask to protect against the coro- Adding to their concern, offi cials in Izumisano, a west- and cooperate.” ation of the COVID-19 infections,” Nishimura said. “While navirus attends to formally open an extraordinary Diet ern Japan town hosting the nine-member Ugandan Olympic Under the plan before a one-year postponement, Na- there are voices of unease among the public, I believe (the session at the upper house of parliament in Tokyo. (AP) team for training, said a second member of the team tested ruhito was scheduled to declare the start of the Olympics emperor) is concerned that holding the Olympics and Para- positive for the virus. The fi rst, reportedly a coach, was de- at the opening ceremony, but details, including his pres- lympics ... may lead to the expansion of the infections.” gin a month later. tected upon arrival Saturday in Tokyo. The rest of the team ence at the games, are yet to be finalized, palace officials The delayed games open July 23, and the Paralympics be- Nishimura also urged the organizers to “take every pos- have been isolating at an Osaka hotel. said. ‘Public opinion not important’ Tokyo shapes up to be ‘No-Fun’ Beauvillier helps Islanders beat Olympics with many rules, tests TOKYO, June 24, (AP): The Tokyo of its Asian neighbors. Olympics, already delayed by the pan- While the games may still end up Lightning in OT to force Game 7 demic, are not looking like much fun: wowing television audiences who will Not for athletes. Not for fans. And tune in around the world, the pandemic not for the Japanese public. They are has removed any sense of celebration. caught between concerns about the Athletes are meant to stay in the vil- coronavirus at a time when few are lage or venues. Most others entering vaccinated on one side and politicians Japan for the Olympics can only shut- who hope to save face by holding the tle between their hotels and venues for games and the International Olympic the fi rst 14 days, must sign a pledge of Committee with billions of dollars on follow the rules, and could have their the line on the other. movements monitored by GPS. Japan is famous for running on con- There will be no public viewing ar- sensus. But the decision to proceed eas in Tokyo. The few fans who can with the Olympics - and this week to attend venues must wear masks, social permit some fans, if only locals - has distance, refrain from cheering, and go shredded it. straight home afterward. No stopping “We have been cornered into a situ- off at the local izakaya for beer and ation where we cannot even stop now. skewers of grilled chicken. We are damned if we do, and damned With spectators from overseas ruled if we do not,” Kaori Yamaguchi, a out months ago, there’s little business member of the Japanese Olympic for hotels. Local sponsors have paid Committee and a bronze medalist in more than $3 billion to be involved, judo in 1988, wrote in a recent editorial and some have complained about lost published by the Kyodo news agency. advertising possibilities. Others have “The IOC also seems to think that pub- expressed concern about being tied to lic opinion in Japan is not important.” an event that’s unpopular at home. In perhaps a last-ditch effort to save OLYMPICS some of the festive spirit, organizers said Tuesday they were looking into selling alcohol at the venues. Support for going ahead seems to Olympic Minister Tamayo Maruka- be increasing, but there’s persistent wa indicated fi nancial concerns were opposition with small street protests at play: Japanese brewer Asahi is one planned on Wednesday, one month of the sponsors and has kicked mil- before the July 23 opening. Much of lions into the local operating budget. that concern stems from qualms about But after immediate pushback, or- the health risks. While the number of ganizing committee president Seiko new cases has been receding in Tokyo, Hashimoto reversed the decision at a only about 7% of Japanese are fully Wednesday news conference. vaccinated - and even though the gov- “We decided as Tokyo 2020 not to ernment is now supercharging its vac- sell alcoholic beverages and to ban cine drive after a slow start, the vast drinking alcoholic beverages in the majority of the population still won’t venues,” she said. be immunized when the games start. And athletes who might want a drink That’s left the IOC and the Japa- to celebrate have been told by organiz- nese government going through con- ers to “drink alone” in their rooms. tortions to pulls this off. Dr. Shigeru New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) controls the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) during the second period Alcohol is otherwise banned in the of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinals, on June 23, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP) Omi, the government’s top COVID-19 athletes’ village. adviser, called it “abnormal” to hold This village will also have a fever the world’s biggest sports event dur- clinic, the fi rst stop for anyone who Varlamov stops 22 shots ing a pandemic. He also said the safest fails a daily test - and the last place Álvarez breaks late tie, Galaxy edge Whitecaps 2-1 Olympics would be with no fans. anyone wants to go. He was overruled on both counts by “We are hoping that there won’t be so UNIONDALE, N.Y., June 24, the government of Prime Minister Yo- many people,” Dr. Tetsuya Miyamoto Sounders run unbeaten streak to 10 shihide Suga and organizers. said, director of medical services for To- (AP): Anthony Beauvillier The offi cial cost of the Tokyo Olym- kyo 2020. “This is an infectious disease scored 1:08 into overtime and SEATTLE, June 24, (AP): Raúl Ruidíaz scored on a pen- biala, capping the second-half comeback for the Timbers pics is $15.4 billion, but government au- we are talking about. It has the possibility alty kick in the 88th minute and the Seattle Sounders ran (4-4-1). It was the forward’s fi rst goal of the season. dits suggest it’s twice that. All but $6.7 the New York Islanders rallied of spreading. So once that happens, the their franchise-record, season-opening unbeaten streak Dairon Asprilla pulled Portland within one in the 50th billion is public money. The IOC chips in to beat the Tampa Bay Light- minute, gathering a lead pass from Claudio Bravo and only about $1.5 billion to the overall cost. numbers could start to explode.” to 10 with a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. The pressure to hold the games is Details of the opening ceremony are ning 3-2 to force a deciding Anderson Julio’s handball in the penalty area set up placing a chip shot over the goalkeeper. largely fi nancial for the Switzerland- always kept a secret. But this time the Game 7 in their Stanley Cup Ruidíaz’s penalty kick for the Sounders (7-0-3) in their Los Angeles FC 2, FC Dallas 0 based IOC, a nonprofi t but highly questions aren’t about which celeb- semifinal series. second consecutive victory. The Galaxy set the MLS re- In Los Angeles, Carlos Vela scored his fi rst goal of commercial body that earns 91% of rity will light the cauldron but rather cord in 1996 with a 12-0 start. the season and added an assist to help Los Angeles FC its income from broadcast rights and will athletes social distance and wear Jordan Eberle and Scott Mayfield Albert Rusnák tied it for Real Salt Lake (3-2-2) tied it beat FC Dallas. sponsorship. Estimates suggest a can- masks as they march through the ven- scored for the Islanders, who rallied in the 79th, converting a penalty kick following a hand- Vela opened the scoring for LAFC (3-3-3) in the fourth celation could cost it $3 billion to $4 ue? And how many will march at all? from two goals down in the second pe- ball by the Sounders’ Stefan Cleveland. minute, poking his fi rst touch of Eduard Atuesta’s pass billion in broadcast rights income. One of the symbols of the celebratory riod. Semyon Varlamov finished with 22 Galaxy 2, Whitecaps 1 into an open space in the middle of the area and pivoting Beyond fi nancial concerns, put- atmosphere of the Olympics has long In Sandy, Utah, Efraín Álvarez scored in stoppage to smash home a left-footed strike off the fi rst bounce. been its notorious policy of handing out saves. ting on a successful Olympics is also Brayden Point scored for the ninth straight time to lift LA past Vancouver. NYC FC 1, Atlanta United 0 a major source of pride for the host condoms. At the games in Rio de Janei- Alvarez connected in the 93rd minute, scoring his sec- ro, offi cials distributed 450,000 through game and Anthony Cirelli had a goal and an In Harrison, N.J., Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored for the country. Some economists compare it assist for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy ond MLS goal just a minute after the Whitecaps’ Janio fourth consecutive match and New York FC beat Atlanta to throwing a big party. You overspend vending machines with signs that read, Bikel found the far post to tie it with his fi rst MLS goal. “Celebrate with a Condom.” stopped 25 shots. United. but hope your guests go away bragging Beauvillier got his stick on the puck to pick The Galaxy (6-3-0) have won four of their last six. New York City (4-3-2) won for the second time in about the hospitality. off a pass in the right circle, gathered it and Vancouver (2-6-1) has lost fi ve straight. three games. Atlanta (2-2-5) had its fi ve-game undefeat- “It’s a bit like a gambler who already quickly beat Vasilevskiy on the first shot on ed streak snapped. has lost too much,” said Koichi Nakano, Revolution 3, Red Bulls 2 goal of the extra period. In Foxborough, Mass., Tajon Buchanan and DeJuan Nashville 3, Toronto FC 2 a political scientist at Sophia University With this possibly the final game at Nas- Jones scored six minutes apart in the fi rst half, Carles Gil In Nashville, Tenn., Luke Haakenson scored his fi rst in Tokyo. “Pulling out of it now will only sau Coliseum as the Islanders plan to move had three assists and New England held off New York. two MLS goals late in Nashville’s comeback victory confi rm the huge losses made, but carry- into their new home at UBS Arena next sea- New England (7-1-2) won its fi fth consecutive match. over Toronto FC. ing on you can still cling to the hope of son, fans showered the ice with beer cans and winning big and taking it all back.” New York (4-5-0) had its two-game winning streak Haakenson tied it in the 83rd with a close-range fi n- bottles in celebration. snapped. Before the postponement 15 months Game 7 is Friday night in Tampa, Florida. ish after C.J. Sapong knocked down a header into the ago, Japan was on track to host a well-run Gustavo Bou made it 3-0 on a breakaway in the 51st. area. Haakenson gave Nashville (3-1-5) the lead in the if expensive Olympics. It had a beautiful Union 1, Crew 0 second minute of stoppage time, fi nishing the Nashville new National Stadium by architect Ken- ICE HOCKEY In Chester, Pa., Jamiro Monteiro scored in the 24th break with a right-footed shot from 15 yards into the left go Kuma, meticulous organization, and minute and Philadelphia beat Columbus to extend its un- corner. a grand stage for a country that mounted Mayfield tied at 2 with 8:44 left when he beaten streak to seven games. D.C. United 0, Montreal 0 historic games in 1964 - just 19 years af- got a pass from Mathew Barzal, skated into The Crew’s Vito Wormgoor attempted to clear Olivier In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Clément Diop had fi ve saves ter defeat in World War II. IOC President the right circle and beat Vasilevskiy with a Mbaizo’s cross with a header, but Monteiro chest trapped for his third shutout of the season and 10-man Montreal Thomas Bach called Tokyo the “best pre- shot that went in off the crossbar. it at the top of the penalty area and fi nished a left-footed held on for a scoreless draw with D.C United. pared Olympics ever” - and he still says Vasilevskiy had a nice glove save on Bar- strike into the center of the goal for his second goal of it repeatedly. zal two minutes into the second to preserve the season. SOCCER But now, worries that the games will In this May 9, 2021 file photo, an Tampa Bay’s 1-0 lead. be become an incubator for the virus Timbers 2, Dynamo 2 official wearing a face mask waits Cal Clutterbuck engaged in some pushing In Houston, Jeremy Ebobisse scored in stoppage time hang over them. For now, the rolling to use a starter pistol for a women’s and shoving with Tyler Johnson and Blake Montreal (3-3-3) went down a man when defender averages of deaths and cases have sta- 100 meter heat at an athletics test to give Portland the tie with Houston. Coleman, drawing a roughing penalty to put Ebobisse headed home a wide cross from Larrys Ma- Zorhan Bassong was sent off in the 45th minute, receiv- bilized in a country that has reported event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Tampa Bay on the power play 6 1/2 minutes ing his second yellow card for a hand ball near midfi eld more than 14,000 deaths - good by Games at National Stadium in To- that halted a D.C. counter. Bill Hamid had one save to global standards but worse than many kyo. (AP) into the second. The advantage lasted a minute as Victor earn his third shutout in as many starts this season for Hedman was called for tripping and then United (4-5-1). Mikhail Sergachev was whistled for interfer- Sporting KC 3, Rapids 1 New Zealand defeat India by ence 45 seconds apart. The Islanders managed In Kansas City, Kan., Dániel Sallói scored twice, Fe- just one shot during the 5-on-3, and one on the lipe Hernandez added a goal and Sporting Kansas City remaining advantage. never against Colorado. 8 wickets in world Test final Cirelli made it 2-0 with 7:24 left in the Sporting K.C. improved to 6-3-2. second on a breakaway as he brought the Sallói converted on a center from Johnny Russell at SOUTHAMPTON, England, June 24, India, 64-2 overnight, was bowled puck up the left side and beat Varlamov 14 minutes to open the scoring. In the 34th, he took a (AP): New Zealand won a brilliant fi - out for 170 in its second innings before between the legs for his fourth of the post- pass from Hernandez and rifl ed in a short blast. The nal of the inaugural world test champi- tea, leaving New Zealand 139 to win season. homegrown Hernandez took a give-and-go from Sallói onship by beating India by eight wick- in 53 overs. The Islanders got on the scoreboard less to make it 3-0 at the 64th. ets on the sixth day at the Rose Bowl. than two minutes later as Barzal brought the FC Cincinnati 1, Fire 0 Captain Kane Williamson and Ross CRICKET puck up the middle of the ice and passed it off Taylor, befi tting two of New Zealand’s to Eberle, who skated in a put backhander past In Chicago, Álvaro Barreal scored his fi rst goal of the greatest batsmen, combined from 44-2 Vasilevskiy with 5:38 remaining. season to help FC Cincinnati beat Chicago Fire 1-0 on after the loss of the openers to reach India’s bowlers created chances and Tempers flared at the second-period buzzer Wednesday night. the target of 139 with seven overs re- never gave up. Williamson was given as Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos and May- Cincinnati (2-5-1) won for the fi rst time in three maining. out on 1 and overturned the decision field were involved in some pushing and matches. Chicago (1-7-1) lost for the fi fth time in six Taylor hit the winning runs fl icking on review, and he was dropped on 45. shoving. Mayfield and Coleman received games. a Mohammed Shami ball over mid- Taylor was dropped on 26, and hit roughing penalties. Minn. United 2, Austin FC 0 wicket. He was 47 not out and Wil- fl ush on the front of his helmet on 30 The Islanders outshot the Lightning 7-6 In St. Paul, Minn., Franco Fragapane and Adrien Hu- liamson was 52 not out. but soldiered on. in a tightly played first period that saw Ni- nou scored early goals eight minutes apart and Minne- But, typical of a fi nal which was They absorbed all of India’s pres- kita Kucherov, the league playoffs leader Seattle Sounders defender Shane O’Neill denies sota United beat expansion Austin FC. gripping despite being disrupted by sure to fi nish off for New Zealand with 27 points, leave the ice and head to Salt Lake attacker Rubio Rubin a second chance at Minnesota (3-4-2) won for the fi rst time since May 15 two washed out days and bad light, the a fi rst International Cricket Council the dressing room 2 1/2 minutes into the a shot off the corner kick during the first half an MLS when it edged FC Dallas 1-0, also at Allianz Field. Aus- fi nish was tense. tournament victory in 21 years. game. soccer game, on June 23, in Seattle. (AP) tin (2-5-3) is winless in seven games.