National Sports

After a year's postponement, and major uncertainty about whether they'd get off the ground at all, the Tokyo Paralympics opened on Tuesday amid a barrage of fireworks and almost audible sigh of relief.

TORONTO — For a scuffling Blue Jays team coming off a painful loss and fighting to stay in the American League wild-card race, the intensity of a four-game series opener against Chicago was evident Monday night at Rogers Centre.

CALGARY — Jule Scheifer and Theresa Wagner scored 3:09 apart in the second period to put the game out of reach, and Germany went on to beat Denmark 3-1 on Monday in round-robin action at the women's world hockey championship.

VANCOUVER — Canucks Sports & Entertainment announced on Monday night its support for the province of British Columbia's COVID-19 proof of vaccination program.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks say nine players have tested positive for COVID-19 since the club returned home from a game against the B.C. Lions.

CINCINNATI — In the midst of a sensational, homer-crashing career resurgence, Joey Votto talked recently about getting his 2,000th hit.

TORONTO — Nick Volpe, who played a key role in the Toronto Argonauts' victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the infamous 1950 "Mud Bowl" has died. He was 95. The Argonauts confirmed Volpe's death in a release Monday. No cause of death was given.

MILTON, Mass. — Jimmy Hayes, who won a national hockey championship at Boston College and played seven seasons in the NHL, has died. He was 31.

The six members of the Refugee Paralympic Team received some words of encouragement Monday from one of the world's most famous refugee athletes.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays say those wishing to enter Rogers Centre will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test starting Sept. 13.