Olympic torch ceremony scheduled for Tuesday
One of the great traditions of the Olympic Games will take place in Greece at 4:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday when the Olympic torch will be created in Paris.
Watch the video below to watch the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Ceremony.
Before each Olympic Games, the torch is created in a ceremony at the main site of the ancient Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
A group of women hold torches against a mirror and use the sun's rays to start a fire.
The ceremony marks the beginning of the torch's journey from Greece to Paris, its final destination for the opening ceremony on July 26.
The torch will be transported across Greece for more than two weeks before being handed over to Parisian authorities in a ceremony in Athens on April 26th.
From there, the torch will be transported by ship to France, arriving in Marseille on May 8th, where it is scheduled to begin the torch relay around France.
Black hockey players make history
With less than two years until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, a historic milestone was made during the Women's Hockey World Championship in New York last week.
Forward Laila Edwards became the first black player to score for Team USA in a 6-0 win over the Czech Republic. Edwards, a 20-year-old from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who plays collegiately at the University of Wisconsin, actually scored two goals in the game.
Edwards, who was named tournament MVP and best forward at the 2022 Under-18 World Championships, could play a key role in 2026 due to his size (6'1'') and scoring ability.
Tensions rise between France and Russia ahead of Olympics
Since the IOC banned Russia and Belarus from flying their respective national flags at the Paris Games and from participating in the opening ceremony as individuals over the invasion of Ukraine, officials from Russia and the International Olympic Committee There was already some tension between them.
But French President Emmanuel Macron added fuel to the fire last week by suggesting Russia would target the Paris Games in retaliation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied Mr Macron's claims.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus can compete at the Olympics, but only as neutral individuals and not as part of a team. Even if they win a gold medal, they will not be able to represent the national flag or hear the national anthem played. Athletes from Russia and Belarus will also not be able to attend the opening ceremony on the banks of the Seine, but will be able to watch the games along with the spectators.
