Tokyo’s divisive Olympic Games don’t officially begin until Friday, but the sporting action has already started.

The Tokyo Games have got off to a winning start for the host nation, with Japan crushing Australia 8-1 in a spectator-less softball clash in Fukushima.

This was the first softball game played at the Olympics in over a decade, after the sport was dropped from the program after the 2008 Games.

Two other softball games, as well as the first of the women’s football matches, are also being played today ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.

It comes amid widespread domestic opposition to the Games taking place

A majority of Japanese people also don’t believe the Olympics will be “safe and secure”, despite that being promised by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

68% of respondents to a poll published by the Asahi newspaper this week don’t believe organisers can keep the Games safe.

The first COVID-19 cases amongst competitors staying in the Athletes Village were recorded on the weekend. Games organisers have so far reported 79 infections that are linked to the Olympics.

“Solidarity and determination”

The chief of the World Health Organisation has addressed International Olympic Committee members in Tokyo, telling them “it is my sincere hope the Tokyo Games succeed“.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says “the mark of success…is not zero risk” but “is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible and onward transmission is interrupted.”

Doctor Tedros says he hopes these games will “be the moment that unites the world, and ignites the solidarity and determination we need to end the pandemic together”.