Package to Olympian Lauren Regula separated from children in Tokyo left her 'bawling'

There are no fans in the stands in Japan.

That means athletes competing on the global stage of the Olympics will do so without the direct support of the families and loved ones. With delegations strictly limited and crowds banned at the Tokyo Olympics because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, athletes and their families are forced to find creative ways to connect from across the globe.

Olympian's kids send mom 'a hug from us'

Team Canada softball pitcher Lauren Regula shared her family's touching effort to show her their love from more than 6,000 miles away. During the broadcast of Thursday's game against Team USA, NBC shared video of Regula showing off a care package from her children that she says left her "bawling my eyes out."

The package arrived containing a pair of hands connected by a long arm made out of construction paper in case Regula needs "a hug from us."

Regula pitched well in relief against Team USA, posting a strikeout without allowing a hit in 1.1 innings. Team USA scored the only run of the game to secure a 1-0 victory to improve to 2-0 in Olympic play.

Regardless of the outcome, Regula surely misses her family in this most unusual of Olympic Games. As will most of the athletes competing in Tokyo in the coming days.

More Olympics coverage from Yahoo Sports:

• Wetzel: Tokyo doesn’t seem to want to host its own Olympic Games

• Booker flying to Tokyo with Bucks stars who beat him in NBA Finals

• Negley: Why female athletes like Biles, Stewart are bolting from Nike

• Australian equestrian out of Games after testing positive for cocaine