The Greek Olympic committee suspended the rest of its torch relay on Friday because of the “unexpectedly large crowd” that gathered to watch despite repeated requests for the public to stay away to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The committee said a large crowd had gathered to watch the flame for the Tokyo Olympics pass through the southern Greek town of Sparta. The flame was lit Thursday at the birthplace of the games in Ancient Olympia in a pared-down ceremony.
“(We took) the difficult but essential decision to cancel the rest of the program of the flame relay on Greek territory,” the committee said.
The decision was taken in coordination with the health ministry and the International Olympic Committee, it said.
The handover of the Olympic Flame to the Tokyo organizing committee will go ahead as scheduled on March 19 at the stadium in Athens where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Mattias Samuelsson had a goal and two assists as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Saturday night for their eighth straight victory.
Samuelsson’s three-point night came together in a three-goal second period with assists on goals by Ryan McLeod and Peyton Krebs.
Josh Norris added an empty-netter late and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves for Buffalo.
The Sabres' win streak is their longest since they won 10 in a row in November 2018.
David Pastrnak scored in the first period for the Bruins, who have lost five in a row and six of their last seven games. Joonas Korpisalo made 30 saves.
Pastrnak opened the scoring at 11:56 of the first with his 15th goal of the season.
The Sabres grabbed a 2-1 lead with goals 1:33 apart in the second period. McLeod’s seventh of the season at 1:39 tied it and Krebs’ second of the year at 3:12 gave them the lead. Samuelsson’s sixth of the season made it 3-1 at 7:54.
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin did not play because he was attending to his fiancee in Sweden. He should be back and available for their upcoming road trip.
The Bruins did not have a morning skate due to travel issues departing Boston on Saturday morning.
Bruins: Continue a five-game road trip in Calgary on Monday night.
Sabres: Begin a three-game road trip at St. Louis on Monday night.
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Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) skates in front of Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod (71) is pressured by Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
