Tokyo 2020 Live Updates: Simone Biles Announces Return as COVID Cases Spike
Team USA is leading the Olympic medal table ahead of China on day 10 of Tokyo 2020. Team USA sits first on the medal table with dozens of gold, silver and bronze medals. Meanwhile, Olympic organizers continue to investigate an apparent political gesture from U.S. shot putter Raven Saunders after holding her arms in the shape of an X.
COVID cases in the Olympic Village appear to be subsiding after fears a major outbreak in Tokyo and its neighboring areas could lead to a cluster among athletes. In the latest figures on Monday, over 2,000 new cases were recorded.
Follow Newsweek's liveblog for all the latest Tokyo 2020 news.
KEY MOMENTS
Piers Morgan: Simone Biles 'has taken my advice'
UPDATE: Simone has taken my advice and will compete in tomorrow’s Beam final.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 2, 2021
Good luck, Champ @Simone_Biles 👍 https://t.co/cQOkh6Qf5x
China wins raft of gold medals in shooting, weightlifting, cycling
Chinese athletes have taken gold medals in weightlifting, shooting, and cycling in the past hour. In the men's 50m rifle 3 positions - the last shooting final of the Games - Zhang Changhong set a new world record of 466.0 points.
In the women's under-87kg weightlifting, Wang Zhouyu lifted 270kg to get the gold - 120 snatch plus 150 clean and jerk.
Chinese duo Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi raced ahead of Germany to get gold in the track cycling final, setting a new world record time of 31.85.
Over 2,000 new COVID cases after record numbers
Tokyo officials reported 2,195 new daily infections on Monday after nearly double that over the weekend. On Saturday, a record 4,058 new COVID cases were reported.
Today's figure is a drop but is the highest ever be recorded on a Monday, suggesting the infection rate continues to intensify.
At Tokyo 2020, there have been at least 281 cases linked to the Games, according to organizers.
Simone Biles makes a return after several days out
The gymnast was suffering from the "twisties", which left her unable to perform due to pressure.
We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!! Can’t wait to watch you both!
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 2, 2021
Good morning and welcome to Newsweek's liveblog
Team USA hopes to keep the top place in the Tokyo 2020 medal table, hoping to take a raft of gold medals in the next 48 hours.
One of these is hoped to be in soccer, where the U.S. Women's National Team is taking on Canada in the semi-final.
Stick with Newsweek's liveblog for all the latest.