Olympics 2020
Tokyo Olympics 2020
Tokyo, the capital of Japan was selected as the host city for summer Olympics 2020 during the 125th IOC session on September 2013. This makes Tokyo the host for the second time, first being in 1964.
Beginning of 2020, the spread of COVID-19 virus raised concerns about the impact of organizing such a game on athletes and spectators. On 30th March decision was finally taken to postpone the games by IOC and Tokyo Organising Committee.
The new dates for this mega event are 23 July 2021 to 8 August 2021. The Opening Ceremony will take place on 23 July and the Closing Ceremony on the 8th of August.
The Organising Committee further confirmed that the athletes who have already qualified for Tokyo 2020 will keep their qualification slots.
About Olympic Games
Olympic Games is an international sporting event that features summer and winter sports. Summer and winter Olympics are independent of each other. The first modern Olympics started in Athens in 1896. They are held every four years and continues till today. There were however few exceptions, in 1916, 1940 and 1944 these games were cancelled because of World War I and World War II.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the decision-making body responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The IOC is also responsible for choosing which sports are played in the games. Athletes from all the five continents participate and compete in the Olympics Games to represent their country. Hence the Olympic symbol is represented by five rings depicting five continents.
Olympic Games is a celebration in itself, beginning with the Olympic torch rally that starts many days prior to the commencement of the games. Grand opening and closing ceremonies are hosted by the host nation depicting their culture and achievements. Athletes are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals respectively for finishing first, second and third for each event.
Torch Relay for 2020
Olympic Games symbolize the thrill of competition and the display of athletic prowess, they also unite nations and celebrate the values of peace, unity, and friendship. A major component of this symbolism is the iconic Olympic torch relay, a tradition that has captivated audiences worldwide for decades.
The torch relay for the Olympics 2020 will begin on 26th March from Naraha, Fukushima after the traditional lighting from Greece. The relay’s theme, “Hope Lights Our Way,” encapsulated the determination to overcome the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic and bring a sense of unity and hope to the world.
The torch relay began in Fukushima, a place that served as a symbol of resilience and recovery following the devastating earthquake and nuclear disaster in 2011. This choice of location aimed to honour the strength and determination of the Japanese people in the face of adversity and showcased the nation’s commitment to hosting the Games despite the unprecedented circumstances.
The Olympic flame travelled across all 47 prefectures of Japan, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. The torch relay route was carefully planned to pass through landmarks, famous sites, and local communities, allowing people from all walks of life to witness and participate in this historic event.
Additionally, the relay incorporated the concept of “The One Team Project,” encouraging diverse participation from people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. The torch relay provided a platform for communities across Japan to come together and celebrate the Olympic spirit, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Residents lined the streets for cheering on the torchbearers and sharing the joy and anticipation of the upcoming Games.
This relay also served as an opportunity to showcase Japanese culture, with various cultural events, performances, and exhibitions taking place along the route. The fusion of sports and cultural exchange deepened the connection between athletes, spectators, and host communities, amplifying the spirit of friendship.
Participating Countries
Athletes from 143 countries will be participating in the Olympics 2020. Athletes from Russia were banned from all international sports for a period of four years after it was discovered that the Russian government had tampered with lab data related to doping. Russia has however filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Inclusions and Exclusions
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved that the following sports will be added to Olympic Games 2020 that were not present in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Baseball/Softball, karate, sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding
Explore Tokyo Olympics 2020
Venues
Tokyo the capital of Japan has been gearing up and preparing to host Olympics 2020 since the day it was selected as the host city.
A total of about 32 different sporting arena spread across the city have been either renovated or newly constructed to host different events during Olympics 2020.
Schedule
Organizing a large global event like Olympics 2020 requires meticulous planning and schedule as this sporting event not only involves athletes but also judges, match officials and supporting staff, coaching staff and media officials. Hence a fixed schedule is required for completing events promptly.
Sports
Olympics 2020 features around 339 events across 50 sporting disciplines. Each sporting event is governed by their respective set of rules and regulations. Based on the laid down rules judges decide upon points to be awarded to an athlete’s performance that makes them stand apart from the rest.
Learn about the rules and regulation of different sporting event to understand them better.
Medals Tally
Olympics 2020 will be featuring athletes from around 143 countries. They will be competing in various events representing their country. Some of the better performing athletes will end up receiving glory for their achievement in the form of medals.
Keep a watch on the number of medals received by the athletes of different participating countries.
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