'Sad to see': Confronting scenes as Aussies kick off Tokyo Olympics
Australia's softballers have been given the first taste of an Olympic Games without fans, losing to Japan in an empty stadium on Wednesday.
The Aussies opened the Tokyo Olympics in inauspicious fashion, crushed 8-1 in Fukushima where the mercy rule was invoked.
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Yu Yamamoto homered in the bottom of the fifth inning, boosting her side's lead to seven runs and ending the match in the process.
There were eerie scenes as the match was played in front of empty seats after fans were banned due to the Covid-19 emergency in Japan.
The Associated Press reported there were only about 50 people inside the 30,000-capacity stadium during the game, providing for unprecedented scenes at an Olympics.
Fans and commentators took to social media, with some labelling the spectacle "sad".
"Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi" track playing as Australians come off the field to end the second inning. Strange to hear without fans to reciprocate #Olympics #Softball
— Paresh Dave (@peard33) July 21, 2021
Pretty sad to see this softball game in front of no fans. But it's on television in the US so it's a win for all concerned.
— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) July 21, 2021
everything about an olympics during a global pandemic — virus-stricken athletes; empty stadiums, softball in fukushima (the site of a nuclear disaster) — is too dystopian to be believed https://t.co/VOQyprEyzS
— Jennifer Hsu (@jennhsu) July 21, 2021
Yup, nothing says we value what you have to offer like playing early in the morning to no fans not on a #softball field with a temporary fence. What, no Fields available in Japan?? #Olympics2021 https://t.co/jOG2A98Hi2
— boss (@jbslindenwald) July 21, 2021
this olympic softball field looks like an embarrassment to the game, wtf is going on there? a celebrity game w/ extra short bases? with no fans, they should’ve found a real softball field to play on!
— Baker (@thealexbaker) July 21, 2021
What sucks about not having fans at the Olympics is we won’t hear the Japanese chants supporting the local teams. I’m watching softball Australia vs Japan and it’s so bad without fans 😫
— Karina (@KarinaPMacias) July 21, 2021
Aussies thrashed in first game of Tokyo Olympics
Home runs from Minori Naito and Yamato Fujita, in the third and fourth innings respectively, gave Japan control of proceedings as empty stands and limited fanfare marked the start of the 2021 Games.
Pitcher Mana Kuwabara and catcher Himeno Miyata, local school students who experienced the region's earthquake in 2011, combined for the ceremonial first pitch.
Australia coach Laing Harrow described the responsibility of launching the Games as a "privilege" for his charges, who have waited for their sport to return to the Olympics since 2008.
The sense of occasion did not spook the Spirit, who played with more composure than the reigning Olympic medallists during the first dig.
An uncharacteristically skittish start from pitcher Yukiko Ueno, whose list of accomplishments include the only seven-inning perfect game in the history of the Olympics, helped the visitors seize momentum.
Ueno walked Stacey Porter then hit batters Taylah Tsitsikronis and Chelsea Forkin.
The blow to Forkin's arm came with bases loaded, meaning Michelle Cox scored the opening run of the tournament.
Japan levelled the score at the end of the first innings, when catcher Tsitsikronis was called for obstruction as Naito scored the first of three runs.
The game remained locked at 1-1 until Naito smashed a two-run homer off Kaia Parnaby.
Australia, who never recovered from that blow, next face Italy in Thursday's late game.
with AAP
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