Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. IOC reviewing Games scenarios, cancellation not among them: Bach

The International Olympic Committee is considering various scenarios for the Tokyo Games amid the coronavirus pandemic but cancellation is not one of them, IOC President Thomas Bach has told the New York Times. Organizers of the world's biggest multi-sports event have repeatedly said the Games would start on July 24 as scheduled, even as the rapid spread of the flu-like virus has brought sporting events around the globe to a standstill. NFL notebook: Rams cut Gurley, Matthews

The Los Angeles Rams released running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Clay Matthews, the team announced Thursday. Gurley officially was let go after what was reportedly an extensive effort to find a trade partner. Olympics: Coronavirus closures force softball players into TFH mode - training from home

Locked out of practice fields because of coronavirus-related restrictions, Olympic softball players this week began turning their homes into training centers and preparing to lean on smartphone apps for virtual coaching. The coronavirus outbreak has brought most sport to a standstill, with events and competitions around the world postponed or canceled as health authorities urge people to keep apart to limit the spread. Celtics' Smart, other players test positive for COVID-19

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, three members of the Philadelphia 76ers organization and two Los Angeles Lakers players have tested positive for COVID-19, Smart and the teams announced on Thursday. The NBA suspended its season last week after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first player to receive a positive test and several others have come forward since to say they too had the virus, including two-time champion Kevin Durant. Monaco GP canceled as coronavirus hits more F1 races

Monaco cancelled its showcase Formula One Grand Prix, the sport's most famous and glamorous race, in another high-profile casualty of the coronavirus epidemic on Thursday. The race was on the first world championship calendar in 1950 and has been held without fail since 1955. Coronavirus will not deter athletes, says hockey champion Dwyer

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted Olympic qualifying and put the whole Games in doubt but most athletes would be prepared to make big compromises to compete at Tokyo, Australia's field hockey gold medalist Jamie Dwyer has told Reuters. The outbreak has infected over 242,000 people and killed nearly 10,000, bringing global sport to a virtual standstill and prompting calls for the July 24-Aug. 9 Olympics to be canceled or postponed. Basketball: Bogut blasts Australia league over coronavirus response

Sydney Kings center Andrew Bogut has slammed Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) for its handling of the coronavirus situation, saying the administration had failed to be proactive and had left players feeling like "pawns". The NBL called off its 'Grand Final' championship series between Sydney and the Perth Wildcats on Tuesday after the Kings pulled out following Game Three citing health risks and the concerns of foreign players and staff who wanted to return home. Foreign ministers of South Korea, China, Japan support Tokyo holding 'complete' Olympics - Seoul

The foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan expressed their support for Tokyo to host "complete" Tokyo Olympics at a video conference held on Friday, South Korea's foreign ministry said. The ministers held a video conference to discuss cooperation on the coronavirus pandemic amid growing concerns over the number of infected people arriving in their countries from overseas. Coronavirus concerns overshadow Olympic flame arrival in Japan

An Olympic cauldron was ignited in Japan on Friday with a flame carried from Greece, with officials again pledging the Tokyo 2020 Games will proceed despite mounting pressure to halt the world's biggest sporting event due to the coronavirus pandemic. The flame arrived at Japan Air Self-Defence Force's Matsushima base but no spectators were present for the ceremony. Coronavirus hits NFL as Saints coach Payton reveals positive test

The National Football League (NFL) community has its first confirmed case of coronavirus with the news that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive. Payton told ESPN that he was tested on Monday after feeling unwell and received the result on Thursday.