FOSTER KLUG
FILE - In this July 23, 2021, file photo, people look out their apartment window from a nearby building before the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
As Pandemic Olympics wane, Japan asks: What did Games mean?

By Foster Klug Aug. 07, 2021 02:34 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Was it the strangest Olympics ever, staged during a deadly

Adam Bobrow, lead commentator for the International Table Tennis Federation, poses for a photograph during the table tennis men's team semifinal between Germany and Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Tokyo. Bobrow, the Voice of Table Tennis, possesses an arsenal of tricky spin shots, captured on YouTube and watched by millions, that can leave even good opponents gape-mouthed and then, as the wildness of what they’ve seen sinks in, delighted. What he really likes, though, is to travel the world as a sort of ambassador for the sport. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
'Snakeman' looks to spread joys of table tennis beyond Games

By Foster Klug Aug. 06, 2021 02:51 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — The Voice of Table Tennis, aka Snakeman, isn’t quite at the top of

Denmark's Victor Axelsen celebrates after winning against China's Chen Long during their men's singles gold medal Badminton match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Denmark’s Axelsen wins badminton gold over China’s Chen

By Foster Klug Aug. 02, 2021 09:19 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen won gold in men’s singles badminton,

Ma Long of China makes a gesture after defeating Fan Zhendong of China during the gold medal match of the table tennis men's singles at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Ma Long wins 2nd Olympic gold in men's table tennis

By Foster Klug Jul. 30, 2021 10:10 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — For the fourth straight Olympics, Chinese men have swept the table

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2018, file photo, North Korean cheerleaders sing during the men's 500 meters short track speedskating semifinal in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea. At the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, North Korea had no real medal contenders, but it was among the most watched nations at the Games, with a huge delegation highlighted by a 229-member strong, all-female cheering squad. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Even in absence, North Korea's presence felt at Tokyo Games

By Foster Klug Jul. 28, 2021 04:27 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — North Korea isn't at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. And therein

FILE - In this July 25, 2021, file photo, judges evaluate Asia D'Amato, of Italy, performing her floor exercise during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Only Tokyo could pull off these Games? Not everyone agrees

By Foster Klug Jul. 25, 2021 02:29 PM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Staging an Olympics during the worst pandemic in a century? There

Athletes are introduced during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tokyo Olympics begin with muted ceremony and empty stadium

By Foster Klug Jul. 23, 2021 02:17 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Belated and beleaguered, the virus-delayed Tokyo Summer Olympics

People walk around before getting into a restaurant/bar in Tokyo on Friday, July 9, 2021. Tens of thousands of visiting athletes, officials and media are descending on Japan for a Summer Olympics unlike any other. There will be no foreign fans, no local fans in Tokyo-area venues. A surge of virus cases has led to yet another state of emergency. And a local vaccination campaign is struggling to keep up.(AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Japan girds for a surreal Olympics, and questions are plenty

By Foster Klug Jul. 19, 2021 01:21 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — After a yearlong delay and months of hand-wringing that rippled

China looks to extend table tennis domination at Tokyo Games

By Foster Klug Jul. 02, 2021 12:46 PM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: China won all four gold medals in Rio. It was

Japan's Momota looks for badminton gold at Tokyo Games

By Foster Klug Jul. 02, 2021 12:42 PM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: Rio saw a clear end to Chinese dominance in