Japanese Emperor Naruhito will "attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics," though Empress Masako "will not take part in the ceremony on Friday at the National Stadium." The emperor will meet with IOC President Thomas Bach on Thursday at the Imperial Palace. Officials familiar with the planning indicated that Japan is "making arrangements for the emperor, honorary patron of the Olympics and Paralympics, to declare the games open during the ceremony" (KYODO NEWS, 7/20).
OTHER HEADS OF STATE: The Canadian government still "isn't saying whether a federal delegation is heading to Tokyo." A rising rate of infection over the past month and evolving rules and restrictions in Japan have "kept Ottawa on edge about sending over its usual contingent of dignitaries." Ottawa's ambivalence comes after U.S. First Lady Jill Biden last week announced that she will head to Tokyo to lead the U.S. delegation (CP, 7/18). Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in "will not visit Japan for the Tokyo Olympics" (JAPAN TIMES, 7/19).
APPEAL REJECTED: Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams "won’t be playing for Nigeria in the Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected their appeal." The WNBAers had asked the CAS to "grant them a provisional allowance and add them to the roster for the Tokyo Games until a hearing could occur." Ogwumike and her sisters have dual citizenship with the U.S. and Nigeria. Chiney Ogwumike had been "granted the ability to play with Nigeria as a naturalized player" (AP, 7/19).
NOBEL EFFORT: Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus said that the Olympic movement "deserves to win" the prize. Yunus is a Bangladeshi banker who was awarded his Nobel in '06. On Friday, Yunus "will receive the IOC's Olympic Laurel award, which recognizes people for their work in education, development and peace in sport" (AP, 7/19).
STICKING THE LANDING: Gold Medal-winning Romania gymnast Nadia Comaneci is "celebrating the 45th anniversary of her perfect 10." Last Sunday, she posted a photo of herself wearing a replica of the leotard she wore in '76, alongside a vintage, red-and-white GMC pickup truck that was "one of only about 600 produced for the Montreal Olympics." The hood ornament "features the Montreal logo." Another photo shows Comaneci "sitting in the front seat, her gold medal draped over the stitched Montreal logo" (USA TODAY, 7/18).
