Japan (Tokyo) The first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics has been awarded on an action-packed day featuring swimming and tennis among other sports.
China’s Yang Qian became the first athlete to stand atop the podium. She won gold for the women’s 10-meter air rifle. Yang had to put the medal on herself. It’s a new measure in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.
Members of the refugee team have also been in action. Yusra Mardini from Syria is swimming in the women’s 100-meter butterfly. This is her second Olympics, following a previous appearance in 2016.
Saturday also marks the Tokyo debut of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. The tennis superstar has won the year’s first three grand slam events. A gold medal would keep his hopes of a so-called “Golden Slam” alive.
The spotlight will later be on Britain’s Adam Peaty. The star swimmer took gold in 2016 in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke.
Saturday also had the first shock of the Games. Japan’s Uchimura Kohei crashed out of the qualifying stage in the men’s horizontal bar. The three-time gold medalist is widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
Saturday also features women’s 3X3 basketball. The event is making its Olympic debut this summer.
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