JORDAN LARSON

Day 15 of the Tokyo Games will feature the American women going for gold in basketball, volleyball and water polo.

The so-called playbook for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics provides a guide to a “safe and successful Games."

Sydney McLaughlin turns 22 three days after the final of the 400-meter hurdles, in which she might win Olympic gold and may even lower her current world record. “Try and find a cupcake and then blow out the candles by myself,” McLaughlin said. Welcome to the no-fun Olympics, where celebrations and camaraderie will be muted by stringent rules and regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When the pandemic hit last March leading to a one year postponement of the Olympics and the inability of teams to practice and play together, the U.S. women’s volleyball team devised a plan.