Bear spotted at Olympic softball venue before opener

Strict COVID-19 guidelines mean events at Tokyo 2020 will take place without spectators, but one large and furry fan tried to get a peek at the opening game of the softball competition Wednesday morning at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium.

Hours before host nation Japan and Australia got things started, an Asian black bear was spotted by stadium security near the venue at Azuma Sports Park, according to The Japan Times.

There are believed to be about 10,000 black bears in Japan. Attacks on humans are rare but not unprecedented.

"We couldn't find or capture the bear, and while there won't be any spectators at the stadium, we are on alert and searching for the bear around the site," a spokesperson told the Japan Times.

Staff played loud music and set off firecrackers in hopes of scaring off the unwelcome animal.

Japan defeated Australia in the softball tournament opener - with no further bears to be seen. The United States opened its campaign later in the day with a win over Italy.