tokyo is sunposed — town. not quite a ghost town. tokyo is sunposed to _ town. not quite a ghost town. tokyo is sunposed to be — town. not quite a ghost town. tokyo is supposed to be under— town. not quite a ghost town. tokyo is supposed to be under a _ town. not quite a ghost town. tokyo is supposed to be under a state - town. not quite a ghost town. tokyo is supposed to be under a state of. is supposed to be under a state of emergency, but you wouldn't know it with the famous nightlife district. like many others, the owner of this restaurant is refusing to close early or stop serving alcohol. he said he lost a quarter million dollars during the last shutdown. translation: i dollars during the last shutdown. translation:— dollars during the last shutdown. translation: ., , ., translation: iam struggling. i have friends who had _ translation: iam struggling. i have friends who had to _ translation: iam struggling. i have friends who had to close _ translation: iam struggling. i have friends who had to close the _ friends who had to close the restaurant. i

on the day tokyo won the bid back in 2013, people were delirious with joy. tokyo! today, the atmosphere couldn't be more different. the stadium where the opening ceremony will happen is surrounded by high fences — spectators kept far away. first, there was the enormous cost of the main stadium, then there were problems with the olympic logo, then there were allegations of corruption, and then covid hit. the whole games had to be moved by a year. this year, japan's olympic chief had to step down over a sexism 1’0w. then the composer of music for the opening ceremony was forced out because of bullying allegations. finally, one day before the games were due to open, the director of the whole opening ceremony has been fired because it turns out he made jokes about the holocaust. it's no wonder some people here think these games are cursed. newsreel: the world's biggest city, more than | 10 million population and still growing, tokyo prepares... it was all so different the last time tokyo held the games back in 1964. author robert whiting had arrived injapan two yea

from tokyo now, back to david in the studio. it would be nice for it to be all about the sport from here on in. iraqi officials say at least 34people have been killed and at least sixty others injured in a bomb attack in a busy market in a mainly shia muslim district of baghdad. the islamic state group says it carried out the attack. people shopping on the eve of the muslim feast of eid ul—adha would have been caught in the blast. mark lobel�*s report contains some distressing images. the grim task of sifting through the rubble, looking fro clues after the worst suicide bombing in months. targeted this time, a marketplace and a mainly shia area crammed with men, women and children shopping for food to celebrate the important festival of eid al—adha. there were screams of terror as roofs were ripped off market stalls. the islamic state unleashing the deadliest attack since january. back then they claimed this deadly double suicide bombing in a busy commercial area of baghdad, killing 32. since iraqi forces defeated islamic

we will be back in tokyo with all the| be back in tokyo with all the rest in the olympics at the top of the hour. i will be back with the actually in just a couple of minutes but you can reach me anytime online, social media, you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones. good morning. once again, sunday was a day of extreme. the highest temperature was in northern ireland with 28 celsius, but there was lots of sunshine for scotland, as you can see by this weather watcher picture. northern ireland, northern england, and northwest wales were by contrast further south, there's quite a lot of cloud, and it certainly went downhill, the story, after lunchtime. this is a weather watcher picture sent in from kent, where there was a severe cluster of thunderstorms that developed, and it brought some localised flooding as well. and you can see the volume of lightning strikes too, stretching all the way down from east anglia over to the isle of wight. they slowly faded away and the area of low pressure is moving away as we speak. now, that is going to continue to anchor itself up into the

team gb in tokyo for me. _ hologram team gb in tokyo for me, because is weird to think, we will— me, because is weird to think, we will be _ me, because is weird to think, we will be there with them sooh~ _ we will be there with them sooh~ it— we will be there with them soon. it is almost like, you are — soon. it is almost like, you are watching your family compete on this platform they have _ compete on this platform they have been looking towards for more — have been looking towards for more than a year, maybe two years — more than a year, maybe two ears. ., , ., , more than a year, maybe two ears, ., , ., , ., more than a year, maybe two ears, ., , .,, ., ., more than a year, maybe two ears. ., , ., ., ., years. for people at home who may have _ years. for people at home who may have never _ years. for people at home who may have never seen _ may have never seen skateboarding, we know it is new to the olympics. explain the difference between the street and park events. the park event is quite transitionary. each cornerstone tra nsitionary. each cornerstone of transitionary

thank you very much, sarah. _ into tokyo. thank you very much, sarah. sarah - into tokyo. thank you very - much, sarah. sarah mulkerrins therefore us in tokyo full in therefore us in tokyo full in the uk, the mayor of liverpool says that she and many others by the decision of unesco to strip liverpool of the status of the world heritage site. liverpool was awarded the title in 2004, recognising its rich heritage is a major trading centre and port and its architectural landmarks. world heritage committee says that developments in the city's waterfront have resulted in a irreversible loss. colin patterson spent the day there. liverpool, a city with ambitions to build and regenerate, ambitions which have led to it being stripped of its unesco world heritage status after a secret valat. the site of liverpool is deleted. the title brought prestige and helped attract international tourism. liverpool was chosen because of its history as a trading centre and the splendour of its waterside buildings. it has been removed as unesco believe new development have led to a serious deteri

tokyo and widerjapan. irate also for everyday people in tokyo and widerjapan.— also for everyday people in tokyo and widerjapan. we have been told re eatedl and widerjapan. we have been told repeatedly by _ and widerjapan. we have been told repeatedly by the — and widerjapan. we have been told repeatedly by the ioc _ and widerjapan. we have been told repeatedly by the ioc that - and widerjapan. we have been told repeatedly by the ioc that these - and widerjapan. we have been told | repeatedly by the ioc that these are going to be safe, secure games. how reassured are you by the provisions that have been put in place? this a that have been put in place? as a scholar of the _ that have been put in place? as a scholar of the olympic _ that have been put in place? is —. scholar of the olympic games, i've seen a lot of statements from the international and the committee over the years that are absolutely not true. it is in their self—interest to assure over and over again that these will be safe and sec

more from tokyo later. in afghanistan — high numbers of civilians — many of them children — have been killed or injured in the first half of this year — according to the united nations. as violence escalates, more than 1,600 civilian deaths have been recorded — a rise of nearly 50% compared with this time last year. government forces have been fighting taliban insurgents — who now control vast areas of rural territory — following the withdrawal of most international troops. 0ur correspondent secunder kermani sent this report. fighting has been flaring across afghanistan. as international troops pull out, afghan forces have been trying to hold back an intensifying taliban advance. these brothers lived in ghazni province. when fighting erupted close to their home, their family tried to flee. "the taliban stopped us," theirfather told me. "they accused my sons of being soldiers. "i went to get their id cards to prove they weren't, "but by the time i got back, they had already been shot." this yea

from tokyo, rupert wingfield—hayes reports. with five days to go, the anti—olympic protests are not going away. this one is outside the hotel where ioc president thomas bach is staying. their message to him is pretty blunt. over at the olympic village, three covid cases have now been confirmed. across the city, 1,400 new cases on saturday. despite this, when i sat down with the governor of tokyo, she told me the games must go ahead. translation: i believe that not holding the olympics is even - sadder than holding it during these dire times. i do not want to show the world that we have lost to covid—i9. there is still meaning in holding the olympics in tokyo, despite the current situation. this was wembley stadium in london a week ago, but with just 20% of japanese vaccinated, there will be no scenes like this in tokyo's olympic stadium. governor koike concedes ifjapan had moved faster on vaccines, things might have been different. translation: | agree, i it would have been better. if we had a faster vaccination rollout, we

rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, tokyo. looking at the scenes in tokyo for the men's road race which started off at mount fuji and is now winding its way around the various streets around tokyo, looking down at the screen, you can see plenty of people out on the streets, that is an outdoor event that people may get a glimpse of it. they have been encouraged not to do that but in some junctures, people three or four that but in some junctures, people three orfour deep people three or four deep watching that. let's head into the centre of tokyo and speak to the bbc�*s mariko oi who was there for us. we had the opening ceremony and the mixed reaction from the japanese public and some people as we were just saying, out on the streets watching some of the events. how do you feel the mood is at this saturday morning here at tokyo as the games have got under way? sarah, this is where rupert was last night, jampacked, without much social distancing, i must add. this morning as well, there is a long queue of people waiting for the

the tokyo local! amazing. at a scorching skate park, hometown favourite yuto horigome making history by winning the sport's first gold medal in the men's street competition, just a few miles from where the 22—year—old world champion grew up. everyone has, like, helped me, everyone texted me, like, you've got it, go for it. i'm just so happy to bring the gold to my hometown. meanwhile, how is this for an overachieving family? on a fantastic day for the hosts, japan's uta abe winning gold in the judo before older brother hifumi did exactly the same just hours later in the same sport. although tunisian ahmed hafnaoui provided one of the games' biggest shocks... how has he done that? ..winning gold in the men's 400 metres freestyle after qualifying slowest, a result that stunned the sport. and as if that wasn't enough, for the first time since 2004, the us men's basketball team lost in the olympics, france pulling off a famous victory in a blow to the americans' hopes of a fourth consecutive gold medal. after

, '. in tokyo? it is difficult to say, time will _ in tokyo? it is difficult to say, time will tell. _ in tokyo? it is difficult to say, time will tell. ioc— in tokyo? it is difficult to say, time will tell. ioc are - in tokyo? it is difficult to say, time will tell. ioc are entitledj in tokyo? it is difficult to say, i time will tell. ioc are entitled to keep samples for ten years, who will know what will emerge over that time. i would say that russia has been under considerable pressure to clean up its act. hopefully they are sticking by the rules. tells clean up its act. hopefully they are sticking by the rules.— sticking by the rules. tells about our sticking by the rules. tells about your investigation, _ sticking by the rules. tells about your investigation, what - sticking by the rules. tells about your investigation, what did - sticking by the rules. tells about your investigation, what did you | your investigation, what did you find? , ., . ., , ., ., find? just to clarify, i do not represent — find? just to clarify, i do not rep

rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in tokyo. i'm joined now by mariko oi who is in tokyo for us. as we saw and they report it is extremely difficult for people to get a vaccination appointment. goverment calling on younger people in particular to get vaccinated — how effective has a vaccination strategy in japan how effective has a vaccination strategy injapan ben? it’s how effective has a vaccination strategy in japan ben?- strategy in japan ben? it's not bein: strategy in japan ben? it's not being very — strategy in japan ben? it's not being very effective _ strategy in japan ben? it's not being very effective is - strategy in japan ben? it's not being very effective is the - strategy in japan ben? it's not. being very effective is the short answer. it does feel a little unfair that there is not enough jobs to go around and yet young people are encouraged to get vaccinated. that's primarily the reaction among young people. if you want us to get vaccinated, make them available. as for people not obliging to the governments request to stay at home and going out, i don't thi

from tokyo, rupert wingfield—hayes reports. this is tokyo in the middle of a state of emergency, in the middle of a pandemic. these bars are not supposed to be serving alcohol and should be closed by 8pm, but no—one is taking any notice. "i'm not worried at all," this young man says. "i want to go drinking. "i want to go out drinking." "lots of people want to stay at home", his girlfriend said, "but we all have our limits". the japanese government says this behaviour is nothing to do with the games, but even its own advisers disagree. what we really need to have is the leadership by the governors or even the prime minister, and those people may have kind of mixed messages. now we have the olympics, so the people may not really be cautious to covid—19. cheering. critics call this the olympic effect. we saw it last week on the streets around the olympic stadium during the opening ceremony, and it's all happening in a country where most people under the age of 50 remain completely unvaccinated. to tell people, ok, it is danger

mariko oi in tokyo for us. president biden has ordered two million american government workers to get vaccinated or else face compulsory covid testing and restrictions. the administration is struggling with increasing infection rates, while around half the population is refusing a jab. mr biden also offered incentives, including cash, for people who go to be vaccinated. our north america correspondent david willis told me more. coronavirus cases have risen in all but one state over the course of the last seven days, most of it fuelled, of course, by the spread of the delta variant, yet barely 50% of the population here is fully vaccinated. and that leaves about 19 million americans who are eligible for a vaccine but have so far chosen not to get one. and today, president biden expressed a measure of frustration, a measure of desperation. he said this was not a political issue — there was nothing political about this — and he blamed misinformation, social media and other platforms, for the reasons for a lot

lucy hockings is in tokyo there wasn't exactly a party —like atmosphere in tokyo today, still a lot of fear and anxiety around the rising covid—19 infection rates is the city in the state of emergency or bars and restaurants are shutting at eight o'clock and people are being told to stay home and stay safe because of the pandemic and because of these on games and the pandemic means there's been a lot of protests. recent opinion polls say that over 55% of the japanese public didn't want these 0lympics that over 55% of the japanese public didn't want these olympics to happen and even of the olympics there has gone it away. we see —— gonna it away. we still see a vocal group of protesters saying stop the protests and how do you call this a festival of peace. he can see the emotions and the japanese capital today. but the ceremony has started with fireworks it was very stripped down and simple in terms of the ceremony. less than a thousand foreign dignitaries there. not nearly the number of athletes we would see in the stadium, but a message of hope, that the olympics can be the ligh

under the scorching sun of tokyo. _ under the scorching sun of tokyo, girls from this tennis ciub — tokyo, girls from this tennis ciub carry— tokyo, girls from this tennis club carry on with their extracurricular activities, but, — extracurricular activities, but, every year, around 3000 children— but, every year, around 3000 children suffer from heatstroke during — children suffer from heatstroke during club activities like this _ during club activities like this. there have even been deaths _ this. there have even been deaths in _ this. there have even been deaths in the past. the tennis coach — deaths in the past. the tennis coach has _ deaths in the past. the tennis coach has been around for 17 years— coach has been around for 17 years and _ coach has been around for 17 years and says the hottest summers mean they have to be extra _ summers mean they have to be extra careful. translation: ~ ., , ., translation: we measure heat stress indexes _ translation: we measure heat stress indexes every _ translation: we measure heat stress indexes every hour- translation: we measure

rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, tokyo. we are here at tokyo bay in the south of the japanese capital but let's go to the bbc�*s mariko oi who is close to the olympic stadium in the centre of tokyo. we saw those great scenes of the opening ceremony last night but we do know, don't we, that these games are taking place in a pretty tough time with the coronavirus pandemic. ongoing all around the world, and here injapan. what is the feeling from locals around it?— what is the feeling from locals around it? ., ., ., , around it? sarah, i am not sure whether you — around it? sarah, i am not sure whether you can _ around it? sarah, i am not sure whether you can see _ around it? sarah, i am not sure whether you can see behind - around it? sarah, i am not sure| whether you can see behind me. this is outside the stadium where rupert was. it was jampacked last night and you can see a lot of people still queueing up to take a picture with the olympic rings this morning. when people were here last night watching the opening cerem

and what is a bit later on in tokyo. and what is happening _ is a bit later on in tokyo. and what is happening with _ is a bit later on in tokyo. and what is happening with the _ is a bit later on in tokyo. and what is happening with the men's - is a bit later on in tokyo. and what is happening with the men's golf, l is happening with the men's golf, some unfortunate news coming to us today in terms of who is participating? today in terms of who is ”articiatinu? ~ , , ., today in terms of who is ”articiatinu? ~ , ., participating? absolutely for those artici atin: participating? absolutely for those participating and — participating? absolutely for those participating and golf _ participating? absolutely for those participating and golf fans - participating? absolutely for those participating and golf fans because two of the favourites for the gulf, the big hitting american and the spanish player have both tested positive for coronavirus and they have had to withdraw from the competition. is the second time that rahm tested positive as well. last month he was forced

the bbc�*s mariko oi is in tokyo. we saw the seeds at the opening ceremony last night much scaled—down compared to what we would have seen before the pandemic. we saw some protests, some of that newsletter because there were no there. i wonder howjapan is there were no there. i wonder how japan is feeling around that opening ceremony. i suppose that sense of pride that could have come with it a few years ago, when you think the feelings are now?- the feelings are now? rupert mentioned — the feelings are now? rupert mentioned a _ the feelings are now? rupert mentioned a couple - the feelings are now? rupert mentioned a couple of- the feelings are now? rupert mentioned a couple of 100 i mentioned a couple of 100 people gathering here last night and they were very excited to see that globe made by some 2000 drones. they were excited to see that. i managed to grab some newspapers view this morning. this is a delayed by a year, no cheers. but it also says that let's hope the games bring some joy. also says that let's h

hopefully | -et line in tokyo on that day. hopefully i get the _ line in tokyo on that day. hopefully i get the result i want and then i will be _ i get the result i want and then i will be cheering lower on because my pleasure _ will be cheering lower on because my pleasure moment will be done and i can share _ pleasure moment will be done and i can share on her which is great. it's can share on her which is great. it's quite — can share on her which is great. it's quite bizarre and real rat the disappointment of silver was out in ten minutes later i got to watch my then fiance. — ten minutes later i got to watch my then fiance, soon wife win gold. that _ then fiance, soon wife win gold. that did — then fiance, soon wife win gold. that did help mike moment as well. i'm hopeful this time we can both come _ i'm hopeful this time we can both come away— i'm hopeful this time we can both come away with the goals and celebrate together. that come away with the goals and celebrate together. that would be nice. celebrate together. that would be nice- world _ celebrate toget

we are here at tokyo bay, into the south of l at tokyo bay, into the south of tokyo, this is a newer area of the city. a lot of events around here. the bridge links tokyo bay and brings you right into the heart of the city. in that you have the heritage area where mariko was. a lot of the infrastructure from the 1964 games are in there. we are in the south of the city where we have the triathlon, the olympic village just over beyond the rainbow bridge into the heart of the city and then over on this site, you have the beach volleyball, the rowing, so lots of action around here as well. pretty stunning backdrop. you can feel the heat that as well that a lot of competitors are speaking about.— that a lot of competitors are speaking about. while you are keein: speaking about. while you are keeping your— speaking about. while you are keeping your cool. _ speaking about. while you are keeping your cool. thank i speaking about. while you are keeping your cool. thank you. j thousands of people in the western united states, are spending the weekend in evacuation centers, as wildfires con

dan roan, bbc news, tokyo. britain's fastest ever woman, dina asher—smith, has pulled out of the olympic 200m after revealing she tore her hamstring earlier this month. the 25—year—old failed to make the 100m final in tokyo — her team mate daryll neita finished eighth in the race. asher—smith spoke of her upset to our sports correspondent nathalie pirks. obviously the competitive... it's just the start, we'll let it go. we'll let the start go and let me cry. the customary smile replaced with tears. the fastest woman in british history had been hiding a secret. dina asher—smith. just five weeks ago she'd been told there was only a 2% chance she would make it to the start line after a torn hamstring. elaine thompson—herahl is going to win it, and it's going to be del ponte i who takes second place. and dina, she'sjust not finishing — she gets out well _ and couldn't hang on. out of the final, and minutes later the reigning world 200 metres champion confirmed she was out of that too, but would stil

rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news in tokyo. and rupert wingfield hayes has been to one event, associated with the games, where lots of tokyoites gathered to watch. we have been saying for weeks that there is a lot of opposition to the olympics here injapan, and that's still true. but take a look at this in the middle of tokyo today. in shinjuku gyoen, thousands and thousands of people have come in here and have taken over the park because this is the only chance many people are going to get to take part in the festivities today. in a few minutes' time we are expecting the arrival of the japanese air force acrobatic team blue impulse and that's what everybody is waiting to see. we are right in the right place, fantastic. so you can feel the excitement here. these are the people who have paid for this olympics. they are not supposed to be doing this. all the fan zones have been closed down, they are not allowed to go into the stadiums. but people want to have a bit of this celebration today and so they are taking over these parks

mariko oi is in tokyo for us. mari, the temperature is always an issue injapan — but this year it's been even worse, hasn't it, with reports that tennis players in early matches on saturday had to take medical time outs before they continued playing? indeed, i'm not sure if you can see the temperature board behind me — it's only seven a:m., but it is getting really hot. though i have to say it's been a lot of excitement in japan about the gold rush that we've seen on every front page of the newspapers just gold—medal. these 21 double gold medals... also the japanese competitor in skateboarding winning the first gold. so there's been a lot of excitement about that, but as you said, when it comes to the endurance outside, it has been brutally hot. we've heard from novak djokovic in tennis especially complaining about it. but this has been an issue every year ever since i was a kid if you are a playing a sport outside. it's been getting hotter and hotter every year because of climate change, meaning schools hav

yes, welcome along to tokyo. i think finally we were talking about the sport at last and when you have a sporting shock that certainly takes over the headlines. we know that we have been leading with the overnight on the bbc sport website because it is a significant result when you consider that the us women's national team, a world cup winners. they had not been beaten since january 2019. however sweet it are one of their old photos because if you go all the way back to the olympics in rio in 2016 it was sweet and who knocked the usa out in a penalty shoot—out then. so they know each other well and sweet and played some brilliant football. it was a 3-0 some brilliant football. it was a 3—0 when against the us women's national team. with two of the goals on the evening, so a really good results from sweden but i will tell you that back in 2008 when the usa went on to win the gold medal they lost their opening game, and if anything the us women's national team, they like a challenge. they like to be under pres

here is lydia campbell on who you should look out for in tokyo. the countdown to the greatest show on earth is nearly at zero. over the next few weeks the eyes of the world will be on tokyo where over 11,000 athletes are going for glory. simone byles is already an international superstar. she is considered as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and is expected to add to her five olympic medals in tokyo. i am excited to go out there and represent again but my goal right now is to just go out and hit fourfor every time right now is to just go out and hit four for every time i get put out there and then we will see how the team is going so i am excited to see what we will bring. am excited to see what we will brina. ., ., , , bring. one of the most highly anticipated — bring. one of the most highly anticipated events _ bring. one of the most highly anticipated events of - bring. one of the most highly anticipated events of any - anticipated events of any olympics is the 100 metres finals and there we should be able to find the jamaican superst

well, from tokyo bay, we go to the city. the bbc�*s mariko oi is in tokyo. we saw the opening ceremony on friday night. i wonder what the reaction is on saturday morning, here? well, as rupert mentioned in his report, we felt that excitement here as well outside the liberty stadium. several 100 people gathered to watch it. they were very excited to see that roving globe made by several 100 drones here as well. i also managed to grab some newspapers for you. i managed to grab some newspapers for you this morning. this is a delayed by a year, no cheers. but it also says that let's hope sport bring some joy. it wishes the athletes good luck but to stay safe and healthy. and i want to show you this picture of the emperor naruhito, who declared the opening of the tokyo olympics just like his grandfather for the 1964 games. there were some people on twitter who were comparing the duration of the emperor's speech, which wasn't long, versus thomas bucks�* speech, which went for ten minutes. but overall, a lot of positive reaction to the opening ceremony from last

he was in tokyo watching. he said the shock victory was a great example of how swimming at the tokyo games is likely to have a series of wide open races. pm likely to have a series of wide open races. ~ , ., , , likely to have a series of wide open races. ~ , . , , ~ .,, races. an unbelievable swing. almost 4.5 races. an unbelievable swing. almost 4-5 seconds — races. an unbelievable swing. almost 4-5 seconds off— races. an unbelievable swing. almost 4.5 seconds off his _ races. an unbelievable swing. almost 4.5 seconds off his pb. _ races. an unbelievable swing. almost 4.5 seconds off his pb. -- _ 4.5 seconds off his pb. —— unbelievable swim. the difference in these _ unbelievable swim. the difference in these olympics compared to ones in these olympics compared to ones in the past _ these olympics compared to ones in the past in _ these olympics compared to ones in the past in my opinion is every single — the past in my opinion is every single person in the finals has a chance — single person in

you are riaht in top shape for tokyo. you are right with _ in top shape for tokyo. you are right with the _ in top shape for tokyo. you are right with the slaves. _ in top shape for tokyo. you are right with the slaves. we - in top shape for tokyo. you are right with the slaves. we have | in top shape for tokyo. you are - right with the slaves. we have been preparing for tokyo, not a ball to be there i there. the players that are there at the top of the leaderboard in particular, joint leaders at the moment, how great it where they are today for radio quiz neck where they are today for radio quiz nec 1 ., ., , . where they are today for radio quiz nec1., . ,, where they are today for radio quiz nec1 ., . ,, ., where they are today for radio quiz nec ., . ,, ., ., neck fantastic. she held out for eaule on neck fantastic. she held out for eagle on her— neck fantastic. she held out for eagle on her opening _ neck fantastic. she held out for eagle on her opening hole, - neck fantastic. she held out for eagle on her opening hole, sol eagle on her opening hole, so she g

the rest is now another games in tokyo-— jumping. the rest is now another games in tokyo. i am feeling all of that positivity _ games in tokyo. i am feeling all of that positivity but _ games in tokyo. i am feeling all of that positivity but are _ games in tokyo. i am feeling all of that positivity but are you - that positivity but are you concerned about the practicalities when you actually get there, what with covid restrictions in place, rising cases we are hearing about? this will definitely be a game is unlike any other. but the reality is each game is that i have been different for different reasons. i have been watching a bit of the olympics. listening to a few of the interviews with athletes. they have been honest about the fact it has been honest about the fact it has been tough. there are added stresses about the covid testing protocols and keeping yourself and everyone else safe. and also, some of the difficulties about not having your family there and the audience. so it will definitely be a unique challenge. will definitely be a unique challenge-— will defin

in tokyo. some gold medals for japan, today? in tokyo. some gold medals for japan. today?— in tokyo. some gold medals for jaan, toda ? �* ., japan, today? indeed. at the moment, we are watching _ japan, today? indeed. at the moment, we are watching the _ japan, today? indeed. at the moment, we are watching the brother _ japan, today? indeed. at the moment, we are watching the brother and - we are watching the brother and sister have been four double gold medals this evening. the system made it to the final. a matter of gold or silver and we are waiting for her brother to compete in the semifinal. we had the exciting moment with the first ever olympic gold medal for skateboarding given to yuto horigome. we went on the streets to see how people felt. translation: i used to do skateboarding l and i knew horigome, so congratulations to him for winning the gold medal. especially in this heat. and hopefully this will make the sport more popular. translation: it's a proud moment forjapan, especially given - this is the first gold medal for skateboarding at the olympics. trans

i'm lucy hockings live from tokyo. ecuador�*s richard carapaz wins the gold in the men's olympic cycling road race, making it the country's second ever gold at a summer olympics. a golden start for china — its team picks up two gold medals in shooting and weightlifting. there are still lots of medals up for grabs on the first full day of action, including in fencing and judo. i'll have all the latest. i'm ben boulos. in other news, from the uk and around the world... tackling britain's "pingdemic" — hundreds more covid testing sites are to be set up across england to ensure essential workers can avoid self—isolation and keep working. president biden warns that the us is facing a "pandemic of the unvaccinated" — as the delta variant of coronavirus spreads. and pandemic — what pandemic? a major music festival gets underway in the north of england. a warm welcome to tokyo, where the first gold medals of the olympics have been awarded. 11 medals are up for grabs on the first full day of action, including in fen

lucy hockings is in tokyo for us. day two has produced some extraordinary performances and some real upsets as well. the day started with a big upset in the women's road cycling race, the austrian mathematician anna kiesenhofer took gold, she has not had a professional contract since 2017, she raced in the 40 contract since 2017, she raced in the a0 kilometres, it was an amazing race, and infact the a0 kilometres, it was an amazing race, and in fact she has a phd in maths from cambridge so she made the right calculations and today's race, a great victory for austria and the kiesenhofer. and when it came to the swimming, the men's a00 metre freestyle gold, it was the outsider 18—year—old tunisian swimmer ahmed hafnaoui pulling off a stunning victory in that race, he qualified in the slowest time, he was on the outside lane, he went on to win, it was such an extraordinary moment, he was such an extraordinary moment, he was in shock and so was his coach. bbc�*s africa because respondent told us what this means for

welcome to tokyo bay in the south of the japanese capital. we will be here to bring you the very latest on what is arguably the most controversial olympics for a generation with tokyo hosting the games in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. the olympic village that hosts the athletes has been hit by an fourth coronavirus case. two south african footballers were the first to test positive there followed by a czech beach volleyball player and now an american gymnast. 62 cases in total have been reported among the athletes media and other personnel. the city of tokyo has entered its fourth state of emergency as cases continue to arise however the international olympic committee insist that these positive cases do not pose a wider threat to the population. let's speak to our reporter mariko oi, close to the olympic stadium where the opening ceremony will be held on friday. mariko, firstly, give us a flavour of what the general public are saying to you about what they feel about these games taking place? indeed. those confirmed cases inside th

lucy hockings is in tokyo for us. welcome back to tokyo where, yes, on day seven, we have reached the midpoint of the games, but the sports are somewhat being overshadowed right now because what we are seeing here in tokyo and around japan is a real spike in covid cases, and this afternoon, we saw a news conference here in tokyo given by the prime minister. the prime minister said that the coronavirus rate is going up, it's unprecedented in speed, and it's been fuelled by the delta variant, like it is elsewhere. the prime minister also warning the medical system is at risk of strain, and telling people they should be at home, staying at home and watching the games from there. here he is speaking a little earlier. translation:, goa, osaka, etc, we are going to issue a state - of emergency to those provinces, as well as the following provinces, we are going to implement priority measures with the period from august two to august 31. this is important for the measures. ——this is the period for the measures. a state o

for now, thank you- — elsewhere in tokyo, our correspondent mariko oi is on the streets of tokyo — to gauge the athmosphere in the city where so many would rather the spectacle wasn't happening. well, samantha, last night, when we were here for the opening ceremony, this place wasjam—packed with not much social distancing taking place. and as you say, a lot of people still queueing up to take a picture with the olympic rings. i think it's fair to say that some people are getting excited. of course, we did have those protests as well last night. but here, outside the stadium, people got very excited when they saw that roving globe created by 2,000 drones during the opening ceremony, which we could see from here as well. i also managed to get some newspapers for you, to show you some of the reaction here injapan. this one says "delayed by a year — no cheers but let's hope the power of sport will bring some joy." the paper wishes the athletes the best of luck, but also wishing them, hoping that they would stay healthy and safe. also this newspaper... whoops, apologies. this newspaper

and 8-1 this wednesday in tokyo. and 8—1 win for this wednesday in tokyo. and 8—1winforjapan against australia in the opening round game. the opening ceremony is on friday. there has been so much talk and build entities 0lympics, of delayed by a year by the global pandemic. it would be good to get a japanese perspective here, a volunteer at the olympics. i'm joined now by 0lympics volunteer, mieko kakiuchi. joining us here on bbc world news. thank you forjoining us mieko. i understand you will be volunteering at the tennis, not far from sera tokyo bay. are you excited by the games taking place. you excited by the games taking lace. ., , ., you excited by the games taking lace. . , ., , you excited by the games taking lace. . i. , place. can you see me? i need ou place. can you see me? i need you are- _ place. can you see me? i need you are- can — place. can you see me? i need you are. can issue _ place. can you see me? i need you are. can issue our. -- - you are. can issue our. —— konnichiwa _ hai, hai. ican hear i can hear you 0k. i can hearyou ok.

mariko 0i is in tokyo. the government announced a fourth state of emergency landing on the 22nd of august, covering the entire duration of the olympics. we heard from the organisers that as a result, they are not going to allow any spectators inside the stadium, making these the first ever 0lympics making these the first ever olympics to be held behind closed doors. the situation keeps getting more difficult for the organisers but i guess it is not exactly surprising because of the strong opposition and with the state of emergency you cannot tell people to stay at home but you can still go and watch the olympics. very concerned that 0lympics. very concerned that people were going to watch competitions and that could potentially spread the virus even further. 0f potentially spread the virus even further. of course businesses argue the financial implications, not serving alcohol in errors, is demonstrating that they have been repeatedly saying they want the olympic games to be held in a safe and secure manner

our correspondent mariko oi is in tokyo. the capital tokyo has been seeing a growing number of new infections, especially that very infectious delta variant, in recent days, and that's why the government last night announced their fourth state of emergency, starting on monday, ending on the 22nd of august, basically meaning that it covers the entire duration of the olympics. after that, we heard from the organisers that, as a result, they are not going to allow any spectators inside the stadiums, making these games the first one ever to be held behind closed doors. of course, we knew this was going to be an olympics inaudible but he situation keeps getting more difficult inaudible but the situation keeps getting more difficult for the organisers but i guess it is not exactly surprising because of the strong public opposition but also with the state of emergency i guess you can't exactly tell people to stay at home but you can still go and watch the olympics. and from the government point of view, they were very concerned tha

i am in tokyo. day four is under way. we had swimming �*s in a few moments time, we have simone biles in the gymnastics and rugby sevens, fiji the defending champions and they are three wins out of three from the group stage games afterjust beating team gp in theirfinal group stage. everyone watching live notice to the weather, it's been pretty changeable. the wild. what kind of impact is it having?— is it having? people may well have not is it having? people may well have got used _ is it having? people may well have got used to _ is it having? people may well have got used to seeing - is it having? people may well have got used to seeing that| have got used to seeing that wonderful but we've had over the last week or so, i above tokyo bay, on the top of a shopping centre here in the south of the city. we had to come down to floor level because there is this tropical storm that is it coast of japan and has impacted significantly on stuff we've seen in the last couple of days, rowing and archery, their events have bee

let's return to tokyo and talk about an olympic newcomer, surfing. the sport made its debut on sunday, with the action beginning early in ichinomiya. but due to an approaching tropical storm, the finals have been moved forward to today instead of wednesday. here is our correspondent rupert wingfield—hayes in japan. this is the pacific coast of japan, about an hour and a half drive east of tokyo. this place is called ichinomiya, and it's really popular with the local surfers. you can see today the waves are pretty lively. that's because we've got a typhoon living in. when you think of surfing coming probably think of the north shore of hawaii or the gold coast of australia or maybe bali, notjapan. but actually surfing is really, really popular here injapan. it's estimated around 2 millionjapanese regularly get on a surfboard. this group of young surfers left home in tokyo before 4am this morning in order to be in the water before six a:m. the waves here are best early in the morning, before it gets too windy. this beach isjust two km from where the