Sports Advent

  On Day 1 of the Tokyo Olympics, Mirabai Chanu gave India the perfect start by winning the country's first weightlifting silver in the 49kg division. The 26-year-old broke India's 21-year drought for an Olympic weightlifting medal on Saturday, giving the country its first medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In her first snatch attempt, the Manipuri took her time and neatly hurled the barbell, trying 84kg. She then lifted 87kg on her next try before increasing the weight to 89kg, which was one kilogram more than her personal best of 88kg from last year's national championship. She was unable to beat her personal best and finished second in the snatch event with 87kg, trailing only leader Zhihui, who established a new Olympic record with a 94kg effort. Mirabai was overcome with emotion after learning she had earned a prestigious silver medal in weightlifting. She danced to celebrate her podium finish, turning her tears of pleasure into joy.

 Spectators will be prohibited from entering Olympic sites in Tokyo due to a virus outbreak, according to Japan's Olympic minister, which means the Games will be held largely behind closed doors. After negotiations with local and national government officials, organizers , and Olympic and Paralympic executives, Tamayo Marukawa remarked, "We reached an agreement on no spectators at venues in Tokyo." The majority of the Olympic competition will take place in Tokyo, while a few events will be hosted elsewhere throughout Japan. In other locations, organizers will decide on "concrete measures" for spectators after negotiations with each local governor, according to Marukawa. The public has previously been urged to avoid the marathon, which is being held in northern Hokkaido to avoid the summer heat in Tokyo. A major portion of the torch relay's journey throughout the country was also held behind closed doors due to virus fears. The spectator decision comes after ...