As the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;nears its close, here is a look at how it played out under strict restrictions to ensure a "safe and secure" Tokyo 2020 amid a COVID-19 pandemic.

VIRUS CASES

Inside the Olympic "bubble" where athletes and others involved in the Games have spent the past two weeks, a total of 430 COVID-19 cases had been reported as of Sunday.

While organizers have touted the low infection rate among what they call the world's "most tested community", the Games have coincided with a surge in cases&nbsp;in the host city.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-closing-ceremony-when-and-where-to-watch-ist-time-theme-venue-indian-flag-bearers-403843" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing ceremony: When and where to watch; IST time, theme, venue, Indian flag bearers</a>

Tokyo has reported record daily case numbers in the past week and the number of infections in Japan has increased by more than 140,000 since the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;began on July 23. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Games organizers have reiterated that the event had not contributed to rising infections.

But senior medical adviser Shigeru Omi told parliament&nbsp;that hosting the Games may have affected public sentiment and eroded the impact of government requests for people to stay home.

MEDICAL SITUATION

Outside of the Olympic bubble, Japan has defended a new policy of asking patients with milder symptoms to isolate themselves at home rather than going to the hospital.

The number of serious cases have continued to increase in Tokyo, with the number of seriously ill patients rising to 150 as of Saturday.

Prime Minister Suga has said only patients who were seriously ill https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-covid-cases-hit-1-million-infections-spread-beyond-tokyo-2021-08-06 and those at risk of becoming so would be hospitalized, while others should isolate at home, a shift in policy some fear may lead to an increase in deaths.

SPECTATORS

Both foreign and domestic spectators were mostly absent from the Games, a decision was taken by organizers to reduce the potential risks of virus transmission.

At some events, noisy delegations&nbsp;made up for the lack of spectators, while announcers at other events tried to hype what little crowd they did have to cheer on the athletes.

Since most athletes were unable to bring their families to Tokyo, organizers set up special screens where athletes could see live feeds of their cheering family members after completing their competitions.

Isolation and the absence of family and friends, however, took a toll on athletes' mental health, with some struggling to cope with the challenges posed by the pandemic while carrying their country's hopes on the global sports stage.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-closing-day-live-updates-final-events-underway-followed-by-ceremony-403835" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing day, LIVE UPDATES: Final events underway followed by ceremony</a>

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the lack of spectators did not dent any excitement over the Games and that many viewers were still able to enjoy the event through TV and other platforms.

Though most venues did not allow spectators, crowds gathered outside the National Stadium for a glimpse of the opening ceremony and many lined the streets&nbsp;to watch the triathlon.

PUBLIC OPINION

While most of the public remained opposed to the Games leading up to its opening, there have not been more recent polls since the start of the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;to compare public sentiment.

Voter support, however, for the government slid to 34%, the lowest since Prime Minister Suga took office last September.

The IOC has touted the high TV viewership of the Games to show the Japanese public's support of the event. The IOC has said that 113.5 million Japanese watched some coverage of the Games as of Aug. 1.

There were intermittent protests at the Games, including outside the National Stadium during the opening ceremony, but none large enough to significantly disrupt any of the events.

As the Olympics nears its close, here is a look at how it played out under strict restrictions to ensure a "safe and secure" Tokyo 2020 amid a COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Olympics nears its close, here is a look at how it played out under strict restrictions to ensure a "safe and secure" Tokyo 2020 amid a COVID-19 pandemic. VIRUS CASES Inside the Olympic "bubble" where athletes and others involved in the Games have spent the past two weeks, a total of 430 COVID-19 cases had been reported as of Sunday. While organizers have touted the low infection rate among what they call the world's "most tested community", the Games have coincided with a surge in cases in the host city. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing ceremony: When and where to watch; IST time, theme, venue, Indian flag bearers Tokyo has reported record daily case numbers in the past week and the number of infections in Japan has increased by more than 140,000 since the Olympics began on July 23. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Games organizers have reiterated that the event had not contributed to rising infections. But senior medical adviser Shigeru Omi told parliament that hosting the Games may have affected public sentiment and eroded the impact of government requests for people to stay home. MEDICAL SITUATION Outside of the Olympic bubble, Japan has defended a new policy of asking patients with milder symptoms to isolate themselves at home rather than going to the hospital. The number of serious cases have continued to increase in Tokyo, with the number of seriously ill patients rising to 150 as of Saturday. Prime Minister Suga has said only patients who were seriously ill https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-covid-cases-hit-1-million-infections-spread-beyond-tokyo-2021-08-06 and those at risk of becoming so would be hospitalized, while others should isolate at home, a shift in policy some fear may lead to an increase in deaths. SPECTATORS Both foreign and domestic spectators were mostly absent from the Games, a decision was taken by organizers to reduce the potential risks of virus transmission. At some events, noisy delegations made up for the lack of spectators, while announcers at other events tried to hype what little crowd they did have to cheer on the athletes. Since most athletes were unable to bring their families to Tokyo, organizers set up special screens where athletes could see live feeds of their cheering family members after completing their competitions. Isolation and the absence of family and friends, however, took a toll on athletes' mental health, with some struggling to cope with the challenges posed by the pandemic while carrying their country's hopes on the global sports stage. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing day, LIVE UPDATES: Final events underway followed by ceremony The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the lack of spectators did not dent any excitement over the Games and that many viewers were still able to enjoy the event through TV and other platforms. Though most venues did not allow spectators, crowds gathered outside the National Stadium for a glimpse of the opening ceremony and many lined the streets to watch the triathlon. PUBLIC OPINION While most of the public remained opposed to the Games leading up to its opening, there have not been more recent polls since the start of the Olympics to compare public sentiment. Voter support, however, for the government slid to 34%, the lowest since Prime Minister Suga took office last September. The IOC has touted the high TV viewership of the Games to show the Japanese public's support of the event. The IOC has said that 113.5 million Japanese watched some coverage of the Games as of Aug. 1. There were intermittent protests at the Games, including outside the National Stadium during the opening ceremony, but none large enough to significantly disrupt any of the events.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Tokyo Games in the shadow of the pandemic

Wimbledon is set to take place next year even if the grass-court championship should be staged behind closed doors without any fans, organisers announced on Friday.

Wimbledon is set to take place next year even if the grass-court championship should be staged behind closed doors without any fans, organisers announced on Friday. The British Grand Slam was cancelled for the first time since World War II. It was cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. Global tennis faced a major disruption due to the pandemic. However, the US Open went ahead behind closed doors and the French Open took place in front of only 1,000 fans a day after its starting date was moved from May to late September. According to several scenarios planned by the All England Club, they can go ahead with the tournament with a full-capacity Wimbledon, reduced numbers of fans or holding the tournament with no spectators present. Also read: 'It’s pretty crazy here', Iga Swiatek on her brand new celebrity status "Staging the championships in 2021 is our number-one priority and we are actively engaged in scenario-planning in order to deliver on that priority," said chief executive Sally Bolton. Wimbledon's statement read: "Our overriding priority will continue to be the health and safety of all of our stakeholders, in particular our guests, our staff, and our competitors. "We are working closely with the relevant government and public health authorities, alongside the rest of the sports industry, to understand the varying challenges and opportunities presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic." The Grand Slam will be held from June 28 to July 11, 2021. Wimbledon has been working closely with local communities during the pandemic and will continue to provide 200 hot meals a day to people in need until Christmas. More than £750,000 ($970,000) has been donated to charities and organisations, while 30,000 of the famous Wimbledon towels that were intended to be used for the 2020 tournament have been given away. (Inputs from AFP)

Wimbledon set to return in 2021 even without fans

A Palestinian teenager charged after a viral video showed her <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-indicts-palestinian-teenage-girl-who-punched-soldier-army-28286" target="_blank">hitting two Israeli soldiers</a> in a case that has gained global attention went on trial in military court on Tuesday in closed-door proceedings.

The judge in the trial ordered journalists removed from the courtroom, ruling that open proceedings would not be in the interest of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor.

Only family members were allowed to remain in the courtroom, with diplomats present to observe also asked to leave.&nbsp;

A large crowd of local and international journalists had shown up to cover the trial of Tamimi, who has become something of an icon for Palestinians and supporters of their cause worldwide.

Trials of minors in military court are typically closed, but Tamimi&#39;s lawyer said previous hearings for the teenager were open and she argued for it to remain that way.

&quot;They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Ahed&#39;s case, they understand that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldn&#39;t be happening,&quot; Tamimi&#39;s lawyer Gaby Lasky told journalists after having unsuccessfully objected to the judge&#39;s decision to close the trial.

&quot;So the way to keep it out of everybody&#39;s eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing.&quot;

Tamimi arrived at the military court near Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank dressed in a prison jacket with her hands and feet shackled, smiling slightly as journalists photographed her.&nbsp;

Her father Bassem Tamimi waved to her from the audience, yelling out &quot;stay strong, you will win.&quot;

Closed-door proceedings were held for a couple hours before adjourning. Lasky said she argued that the trial could not move forward because Israel&#39;s occupation of the West Bank and its court system there is illegal.

Prosecutors requested more time to prepare a response and a new date was set for March 11, according to Lasky.

Lasky added that she would make a new request to have the trial opened.

Bassem Tamimi told journalists after the adjournment that &quot;having people attend the court -- journalists, consuls, diplomats, observers and lawyers -- is very important because it keeps them safe and makes us feel that those in court are safe.&quot;

Tamimi has been hailed as a hero by Palestinians who see her as bravely standing up to Israel&#39;s occupation of the West Bank.

Israelis accuse her family of using her as a pawn in staged provocations.

She has been charged with 12 counts including assault and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted.

The charges relate to events in the video and five other incidents. They include stone-throwing, incitement and making threats.

Criticism of case 
Tamimi&#39;s mother, Nariman, and cousin Nour, 20, were also due to go on trial later Tuesday.

Ahed Tamimi and her mother have been ordered held in custody until the end of the proceedings, while her cousin has been released on bail.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised Israeli authorities&#39; actions in the case, while the European Union has expressed concern over Israel&#39;s detention of minors, including Ahed Tamimi.

Amnesty International has called for her immediate release, saying her &quot;continued detention is a desperate attempt to intimidate Palestinian children who dare to stand up to repression by occupying forces.&quot;

Ahed Tamimi&#39;s family says the December 15 incident that led to the arrests occurred in the yard of their home in Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah in the West Bank.

The Israeli military said the soldiers were in the area to prevent Palestinians from throwing stones at Israeli motorists.

The video shows the cousins approaching two soldiers and telling them to leave before shoving, kicking and slapping them.

Ahed Tamimi is the more aggressive of the two in the video.

The heavily armed soldiers do not respond to what appears to be an attempt to provoke rather than seriously harm them.

They then move backwards after Nariman Tamimi becomes involved.

The scuffle took place amid clashes and protests against US President Donald Trump&#39;s controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

Relatives say that a member of the Tamimi family was wounded in the head by a rubber bullet fired during those protests.

Twenty-three Palestinians have been killed since Trump&#39;s declaration on December 6, most of them in clashes with Israeli forces. Two Israelis have been killed since then.

Ahed Tamimi, who comes from a family of prominent activists, has been involved in a series of previous incidents, with older pictures of her confronting soldiers widely published.

Palestinians have flooded social media with praise and support.

Ahed was caught on video shoving, kicking, and slapping two Israeli soldiers

A Palestinian teenager charged after a viral video showed her hitting two Israeli soldiers in a case that has gained global attention went on trial in military court on Tuesday in closed-door proceedings. The judge in the trial ordered journalists removed from the courtroom, ruling that open proceedings would not be in the interest of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor. Only family members were allowed to remain in the courtroom, with diplomats present to observe also asked to leave. A large crowd of local and international journalists had shown up to cover the trial of Tamimi, who has become something of an icon for Palestinians and supporters of their cause worldwide. Trials of minors in military court are typically closed, but Tamimi's lawyer said previous hearings for the teenager were open and she argued for it to remain that way. "They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Ahed's case, they understand that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldn't be happening," Tamimi's lawyer Gaby Lasky told journalists after having unsuccessfully objected to the judge's decision to close the trial. "So the way to keep it out of everybody's eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing." Tamimi arrived at the military court near Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank dressed in a prison jacket with her hands and feet shackled, smiling slightly as journalists photographed her. Her father Bassem Tamimi waved to her from the audience, yelling out "stay strong, you will win." Closed-door proceedings were held for a couple hours before adjourning. Lasky said she argued that the trial could not move forward because Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its court system there is illegal. Prosecutors requested more time to prepare a response and a new date was set for March 11, according to Lasky. Lasky added that she would make a new request to have the trial opened. Bassem Tamimi told journalists after the adjournment that "having people attend the court -- journalists, consuls, diplomats, observers and lawyers -- is very important because it keeps them safe and makes us feel that those in court are safe." Tamimi has been hailed as a hero by Palestinians who see her as bravely standing up to Israel's occupation of the West Bank. Israelis accuse her family of using her as a pawn in staged provocations. She has been charged with 12 counts including assault and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted. The charges relate to events in the video and five other incidents. They include stone-throwing, incitement and making threats. Criticism of case Tamimi's mother, Nariman, and cousin Nour, 20, were also due to go on trial later Tuesday. Ahed Tamimi and her mother have been ordered held in custody until the end of the proceedings, while her cousin has been released on bail. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised Israeli authorities' actions in the case, while the European Union has expressed concern over Israel's detention of minors, including Ahed Tamimi. Amnesty International has called for her immediate release, saying her "continued detention is a desperate attempt to intimidate Palestinian children who dare to stand up to repression by occupying forces." Ahed Tamimi's family says the December 15 incident that led to the arrests occurred in the yard of their home in Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah in the West Bank. The Israeli military said the soldiers were in the area to prevent Palestinians from throwing stones at Israeli motorists. The video shows the cousins approaching two soldiers and telling them to leave before shoving, kicking and slapping them. Ahed Tamimi is the more aggressive of the two in the video. The heavily armed soldiers do not respond to what appears to be an attempt to provoke rather than seriously harm them. They then move backwards after Nariman Tamimi becomes involved. The scuffle took place amid clashes and protests against US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Relatives say that a member of the Tamimi family was wounded in the head by a rubber bullet fired during those protests. Twenty-three Palestinians have been killed since Trump's declaration on December 6, most of them in clashes with Israeli forces. Two Israelis have been killed since then. Ahed Tamimi, who comes from a family of prominent activists, has been involved in a series of previous incidents, with older pictures of her confronting soldiers widely published. Palestinians have flooded social media with praise and support.

Israeli military trial of Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi begins behind closed doors