TOKYO — The torch relay run that has opened the Olympics since 1936 started on Thursday from Fukushima, Japan, delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. But infection rates are creeping up, and the vaccine rollout has been painfully slow. There is virtually no chance that Japanese people will be vaccinated in large enough numbers by the time the Olympics are supposed to start in late July. Last week, Japan announced that spectators from overseas would be barred from attending the Games. According to another poll, only 9 percent of respondents said the Games should proceed as scheduled; 32 percent said they should be canceled.

Source: International New York Times March 25, 2021 09:00 UTC