The Travelodge Aussie Spirit have dominated headlines across the globe as the first sporting team to arrive in Japan ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Since departing Australian shores on Monday following negative Covid tests and ensuring the entire squad is fully vaccinated, the Australian Olympic hopefuls have been splashed across news pages from both national and international outlets.

The squad will continue to remain within their hotel in Ota City, Gunma, before they begin training outdoors at a nearby softball diamond this Saturday 5 June. From then, they will play a series of games against professional Japanese teams, as well as the Japan National Team, before a final side of 15 is selected for the Olympic Games in early July.

Given their early entry into the country, the Travelodge Aussie Spirit have attracted significant attention from major outlets including CNN, BBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post and Time Magazine.

The first @AUSOlympicTeam members are en route to #Tokyo2020.

Jade Wall says her @SoftballOz team will help each other face down any challenges while in a biosecurity bubble.

Story from @robforsaith#womeninsporthttps://t.co/Jp2PAX9A9x

— AAP Sport (@AAPSport) May 31, 2021

Australia's Softball squad will be the first international team to arrive ahead of the Olympic Games.
They will spend the next two and a half months in a biosecurity bubble, and compete in stadiums without any fans. @DamoNews #9News pic.twitter.com/JIJMoIT4wi

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) May 31, 2021

Australia's softball team has landed in Japan as they start their final preparations for the Olympic Games. 🥎🇦🇺@AUSOlympicTeam | @SoftballOz | @WBSC https://t.co/ut7zUiEERc

— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) June 1, 2021

Welcome to Tokyo! Australian softball team (@SoftballOz) arrived in Japan for @Tokyo2020. https://t.co/TwtowLEAZt

— 在メルボルン日本国総領事館 (@japan_in_mel) June 2, 2021

【#五輪 あさって来日"豪代表"の心境】

女子ソフトボール豪代表 #エレン・ロバーツ 選手
「最も重要なのは日本人の健康。私たちは日本人を危険にさらすことは絶対にしたくない」
「滞在中は安全に気をつけ、最終的に日本の方が誇りに思ってもらえれば」@Station_sun #サンステ pic.twitter.com/N3TPJaM29W

— 報道ステーション＋土日ステ (@hst_tvasahi) May 30, 2021