Tom Goldman

The Summer Olympics are officially underway following yesterday's opening ceremony in Tokyo, a year after they were originally scheduled. COVID restrictions mean fans can't watch events in-person.

For months, polls have shown most Japanese citizens don't want the Olympics in Japan. Cost overruns and a COVID-19 surge have led to street protests. Now activists are facing the games' inevitability.

The fanfare and celebration unfolded in a virtually empty stadium, as Japanese protesters gathered nearby to register their discontent over the world's largest sports event.

As coronavirus cases continue to surge in Tokyo — both around the capital city and in the Olympic Village, public polls in Japan show overwhelming opposition to hosting the Games during the pandemic.

Competition got underway Wednesday in Tokyo for the pandemic-delayed Summer Olympics — two days before the Opening Ceremony. Participants are streaming into Japan under heightened COVID-19 concerns.

Softball returns to the Olympics after a 13-year absence. But it won't be around for long. It's not on the schedule at the 2024 Games though athletes are hoping it'll make a return in 2028.

Major League Baseball's All-Star game is tonight and one of the biggest stars this season is Japan's Shohei Ohtani. He's a dominant pitcher and hitter — leading the league in home runs.

ESPN finds itself as part of the media story during this year's NBA Finals. The network replaced sideline reporter Rachel Nichols when critical comments she made about a Black colleague came to light.

Richardson had hoped to be picked for a relay team following her suspension for testing positive for marijuana. While her Olympic bid is over, debate concerning what is seen as an unfair ban is not.

Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson won't be competing at the Tokyo Olympics. USA Track & Field kept her off the roster following her positive test for marijuana after her Olympic Trials 100m win.

Sha'Carri Richardson is suspended for smoking pot and won't run the Olympic 100 meter dash. Also, there are drawbacks to the NCAA deal letting athletes cash in on their likeness.

U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson was poised to be a breakout star at the Tokyo Summer Olympics until a positive test for marijuana disqualified her from the 100 meter race.

The Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks have hired new coaches with stellar records as players — but questionable off-court problems. The moves have roiled the typically progressive NBA.

Two NBA teams hired new coaches this week — and those choices have some asking whether the league has taken a step back from its usual progressive stances on social issues and activism.

Laws take effect this week in seven states that allow college athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness. It opens the door for collegians to make money off endorsement deals.

At least five states will allow college athletes to earn money off the use of their name, image and likeness. The NCAA and Congress are racing to enact legislation prevent unfairness in recruiting.

The delayed Tokyo Olympics will begin in July. Despite continued COVID-19 uncertainty surrounding the games, U.S. athletes are going through the Olympic trials for the right to compete in Tokyo.

The latest in the NBA playoffs, Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka's decisions to miss Wimbledon, and the MLB's continuing crackdown on sticky substances.

Despite skepticism over holding the Tokyo Summer Olympics, organizers, athletes and the main rights-holding TV broadcaster are charging ahead. NBC announced a record 13 days of Olympic trial coverage.

At the U.S. Open, the attention won't only be focused on golf swings but about a growing feud between two of the sport's star players: Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.