While Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s July 8 announcement effectively banned in-person fans at Summer Olympics events, the good news is that the Games’ world-class competitions will be well worth the wait no matter how you follow them. Here’s everything you need to know about the Tokyo Olympics 2021, including how to watch and more.
Were the 2020 Olympics cancelled?
This month’s Games were originally scheduled to kick off July 24, 2020 and run through August 9, 2020. Then, due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were postponed until 2021. “[T]he IOC president and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games…must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community,” the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee announced in a joint statement in March 2020. The COVID-19 crisis marks the first time in history that the Olympic Games were ever postponed.
When is the Olympics 2021?
Tokyo organizers announced that the opening ceremony will now take place July 23, 2021, almost exactly one year after the games were originally supposed to start, and conclude on August 8, 2021. International Olympics Committee (IOC) vice president John Coates said in a statement, “The Games were going to be their theme, the Reconstruction Games after the devastation of the tsunami. Now very much these will be the Games that conquered COVID, the light at the end of the tunnel.” In January 2021, it was rumored that the games were canceled altogether, but the IOC insisted the show will go on. “Some news reports circulating today are claiming that the government of Japan has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be canceled because of the coronavirus,” the IOC said in a statement. “This is categorically untrue…All parties involved are working together to prepare for a successful Games this summer.” Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also noted that the Olympic Games “will be a symbol of humanity overcoming the novel coronavirus, and a chance to showcase Japan’s reconstruction from the devastating (2011) earthquake and tsunami to the world. We are determined to work closely together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, and the IOC to realize a safe and secure Olympics.” In May 2021, petitions circulated to cancel the Tokyo Olympics after new COVID variants emerged in Japan, putting Tokyo and other cities including Osaka under a state of emergency. However, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Tokyo organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto insisted that the Olympics will go on as planned.
How to watch the Olympics on TV or online
The 2020 Olympics will be broadcast on NBC, NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports Gold. NBC Sports will stream the Olympics 24/7 on their website (you’ll have to verify you’re a cable subscriber to watch), on the NBC Sports app on mobile devices and gaming consoles and on Peacock TV, which will air certain ceremonies and games earlier than other standard broadcasts. Other streaming services that carry NBC include AT&T TV, AT&T TV NOW, Hulu+Live TV, Sling TV (though only in certain markets) and YouTube TV.
When will the Tokyo Olympics end?
When they were going to take place in 2020, the Tokyo Olympics were scheduled to close August 9, 2020. Now, they will take close almost a year to the day later, on August 8, 2021.
Will they still be called the 2020 Olympics?
Yes, the International Olympic Committee announced that the Games will still be called the 2020 Olympics. Can you blame them, considering all the signage and swag already produced? “The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present. Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020,” the IOC said in a statement.
Can I get tickets to the Tokyo Olympics?
Most 2020 Olympic events tickets were already sold out when it was announced on July 8, 2021 that no spectators would be allowed at the Tokyo Olympic games. A state of emergency was declared in Tokyo due to a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases. The state of emergency will last through August 22, 2021, and the games are set to conclude on August 8, 2021.
Where are the Tokyo Olympics being held?
The 2020 Olympics are being held in Tokyo after the city won a bid in September 2013 to host the games. Certain events will take place in other Japanese cities nearby.
What will happen at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony?
While specifics are not yet known, according to the Tokyo 2020’s “basic policy,” the opening ceremony will focus on these themes:
Peace: Show that commitment to harmony leads to a world which transcends division and conflict.Coexistence: Aspire to a coexistent society which creates new values through the recognition, support, and leverage of diversity.Reconstruction: Give courage to the world by overcoming natural disasters and persevering to create the next generation.Future: Create a starting line for a new, more sustainable, more richly human era.
When is the Tokyo Olympics torch relay and who are the torchbearers?
The 2020 Olympic torch relay has been postponed due to the coronavirus. On March 12, 2020, the torch was handed to first torchbearer, Anna Korakaki, in Olympia, Greece. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony had no audience. All subsequent torch events were later canceled.
What sports will be played in the Tokyo Olympics?
The 2020 Summer Olympics were set to have 339 events in 33 different sports, including:
SwimmingWater poloArtistic swimmingDivingSurfingRowingSailingCanoeingArcheryShootingAthletics (track and field, javelin, hurdles, hammer throws, etc.)TriathlonModern pentathlonWeightliftingBadmintonBaseball/SoftballBasketballFootballGolfField hockeyVolleyballTennisTable tennisHandballRowingBMX racingBMX freestyleMountain bikingRoad cyclingTrack cyclingSkateboardingEquestrian (eventing, jumping, dressage)Gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, trampoline)JudoKarateTaekwondoWrestlingBoxingSport climbing
What will Team USA wear for the Tokyo Olympics?
Ralph Laurenhas designed Team USA’s 2020 Olympics uniforms for events like the opening and closing ceremonies using largely sustainable materials. Back in April of this year, the preppy fashion brand shared several snaps of Team USA’s closing ceremony outfits, modeled by such real-life Olympians as skateboarders Jordyn Barratt and Heimana Reynolds, BMX biker Connor Fields, karateka Sakura Kokumai and water polo star Ashleigh Johnson. The uniform features white jeans paired with a red, white and blue belt, topped with a white jacket accented with a blue hood. (And of course, plenty of American flags and “USA” lettering.) David Lauren, Chief Innovation and Branding Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board at Ralph Lauren, said in a statement. “Following a year marked by isolation and strife, this Summer’s Games are a true testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal power of sport to energize and unite the world,” “As we come together to celebrate and compete, we must also embrace our responsibility to protect the planet we all call home. As part of this, we are proud to continue to invest in and scale sustainability innovations — dressing our nation’s best and brightest athletes in timeless clothing that has been consciously created.”
Which U.S. athletes were set to compete in the 2020 Olympics and will they still compete in the Olympics in 2021?
Not all of the U.S. athletes competing in the 2020 Olympics have been announced. However, the postponement of the games will not affect those who’ve already qualified; teams and athletes who have qualified for spots in the Tokyo 2020 Games will keep those spots. Here’s a rundown of who’s showing up for Team USA in several sports:
Women’s Soccer
After winning the Women’s World Cup, the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team, featuring co-captains Megan Rapinoeand Carli Lloyd, will compete in the Olympics in Japan—to once more show the world (most importantly, the men) how it’s done. Rapinoe previously told Paradethat the women’s team motto should be “Don’t f**k with us! I think we’re just such a great example of the potential of women, when we’re invested in, when we’re given platforms, when we’re celebrated, when we’re allowed to just be everything about who we are, the amazing potential that lies in that.”
Men’s Soccer
U.S. National Men’s Soccer Team
Men’s Marathon
Galen Rupp Jacob Riley Abdi Abdirahman
Equestrian
Kent Farrington Laura Kraut McLain Ward Jessica Springsteen
Women’s Marathon
Aliphine Tuliamuk Molly Seidel Sally Kipyego
Wrestling
Kyle Dake Thomas Gilman Adeline Gray Ildar Hafizov G’Angelo Hancock Sarah Hildebrandt Helen Maroulis Tamyra Mensah-Stock Kayla Miracle Alejandro Sancho Kyle Snyder John Stefanowicz David Taylor Jacarra Winchester
Women’s Road Cycling
Chloé Dygert
Women’s Freestyle BMX
Hannah Roberts
Triathlon
Summer Rappaport
Men’s Fencing
Alexander Massialas Gerek Meinhardt Eli Dershwitz Daryl Homer Yeisser Ramirez Nick Itkin Curtis McDowald Jake Hoyle
Women’s Fencing
Lee Kiefer Mariel Zagunis Katharine Holmes Courtney Hurley Eliza Stone Nicole Ross Kelley Hurley
Women’s Karate
Sakura Kokumai
Men’s Modern Pentathlon
Amro ElGeziry
Women’s Modern Pentathlon
Samantha Achtenberg
Sailing
Pedro Pascual Charlie Buckingham Farrah Hall Paige Railey Stephanie Roble Maggie Shea Anna Weis Riley Gibbs Lara Dallman-Weiss Nikole Barnes David Hughes Stuart McNay Luke Muller
Canoe/Kayak
Nevin Harrison Evy Leibfarth
Men’s Shooting
Lucas Kozeniesky Will Shaner James Hall Nick Mowrer Keith Sanderson Brian Burrows Derrick Mein Vincent Hancock Phillip Jungman
Women’s Shooting
Mary Tucker Alison Weisz Alexis Lagan Sandra Uptagrafft Madelynn Bernau Kayle Browning Amber English Austen Smith
Rowing
Kara Kohler Gevvie Stone
Softball
Monica Abbott Ali Aguilar Valerie Arioto Ally Carda Amanda Chidester Rachel Garcia Haylie McCleney Michelle Moultrie Dejah Mulipola Aubree Munro Bubba Nickles Cat Osterman Janie Reed Delaney Spaulding Kelsey Stewart
Men’s Sport Climbing
Nathaniel Coleman Colin Duffy
Women’s Sport Climbing
Kyra Condie Brooke Raboutou
Men’s Surfing
Kolohe Andino John John Florence
Women’s Surfing
Caroline Marks Carissa Moore
Men’s Swimming
Jordan Wilimovsky
Women’s Swimming
Haley Anderson Ashley Twichell
Men’s Table Tennis
Kanak Jha Xin Zhou Nikhil Kumar
Women’s Table Tennis
Liu Juan Lily Zhang Huijing Wang
Women’s Taekwondo
Anastasija Zolotic Paige McPherson
Men’s Volleyball
U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team
Women’s Volleyball
U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team
Men’s Water Polo
U.S. Men’s Water Polo Team
Women’s Water Polo
U.S. Women’s Water Polo Team
How many countries will participate in the 2021 Olympics?
According to the sports blog Fansided, “Japan will play host to over 11,091 athletes from 205 countries and two independent groups which include 10 refugee Olympic athletes and one independent Olympic athlete.” Russia is not permitted to compete as of December 2019 due to doping scandals, though individual athletes from Russia who are cleared by the World Anti-Doping Agency can. But these athletes would have to participate under a neutral banner—and they’re still not permitted to compete in team sports.
Are there any changes or new sports added to the Olympics this year?
Wrestling, baseball/softball, karate, skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing are being added for the 2020 Olympics.
What controversies are plaguing the 2020 Olympics?
The 2020 Olympics are already rife with scandals and issues.
Bans on Protests and Political Messages
All political statements and protest messaging are banned from the Tokyo Olympic Games, including clothing supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. However, “BLM” slogans will be permitted in press conferences, interviews and team meetings. “A very clear majority of athletes said that they think it’s not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, at the official ceremonies or at the podium,” IOC Athletes’ Commission chief Kirsty Coventry said in a statement. “So our recommendation is to preserve the podium, field of play and official ceremonies from any kind of protest or demonstrations or acts perceived as such.”
Japan’s Rising Sun Flag
South Korea requested to prohibit Japan from displaying its Rising Sun flag at the 2020 Olympics. South Korea’s Sports Ministry sent a letter to the International Olympics Committee in September 2019 claiming that the flag was a symbol of Japanese imperialism, writing (per Reuters), that much like swastikas used in Nazi Germany (or the Confederate flag in the United States), the Rising Sun evokes “historical wounds and pains” for other Asian countries. As of this writing, no determination has been made as to whether Japan can or will use the Rising Sun flag.
Events in Fukushima and Tōhoku
The Olympics torch relay was planned to kick off in Fukushima, Japan, near where the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster occurred; the Olympic baseball and softball games were slated for Fukushima Stadium. Though the World Health Organization and United Nations have stated that Fukushima is safe, some scientific studies about the area dispute this, raising concerns for participants. Additionally, some football (soccer) games were slated for Rifu, Japan, which is part of the area hit in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The Fukushima and Rifu events are marketed as a way to bolster recovery efforts in the regions, but some residents believe that the preparation for the Olympic Games actually slowed recovery efforts because workers were removed from those projects and sent to Olympics projects.
Investigation into Tsunekazu Takeda
In January 2019, the Associated Pressreported that Japanese Olympic Committee marketing chair Tsunekazu Takeda was being investigated for corruption. Takeda has worked with the Olympics since 1972, when he competed on Japan’s equestrian team at the Munich Olympic Games (then again in 1976 in Montreal). Takeda denied any wrongdoing, saying in a statement at the time, “The case is causing tremendous concern among the people who are supporting the Tokyo Games, but I will continue to cooperate in the investigation in order to clear any suspicion of me.” Takeda was reportedly suspected of bribery, allegedly authorizing a total of $2 million payments to a Singapore company called Black Tidings, which was linked to Papa Massata Diack, one of the sons of Lamine Diack, who presided over the IAAF from 1999 to 2015. Lamine was under investigation for corruption allegations of his own, including blackmailing athletes and covering up failed drug tests. Takeda denied the allegations, saying in a statement, “I have explained (to the French authorities) that there was no such illegal activity tantamount to bribery.” He maintained that the payments were for a legitimate consultancy provided by Black Tidings. In March 2019, Takeda announced he would step down from his post on the Japanese Olympic Committee and not seek reelection after this term. He explained in a statement, “I don’t believe I’ve done anything illegal…It pains me to have created such a fuss, but I believe it is my responsibility to serve out the rest of my term.”
U.S.A. Gymnastics’ Sex Abuse and Aftermath
The higher-ups of U.S.A. Gymnastics are still plagued with scandals following the arrest, trial and sentencing of Dr. Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually abusing numerous girls and women on the organization’s roster. U.S.A. Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and in 2020 offered $215 million to gymnasts who filed legal claims against them for failing to protect the athletes from Nassar’s abuse. In February 2020, U.S.A. Gymnastics coach Maggie Haney was suspended for allegedly bullying, harassing, threatening, verbally and emotionally abusing gymnasts. In March 2020, Tom Forster, U.S.A.’s Gymnastics women’s national team coordinator, apparently praised Haney in a Facebook post despite her ongoing suspension. In the same post, Forster also praised Mary Lee Tracy, the former U.S. national team coordinator. Tracy was forced to resign after just a few days in her position after she improperly contacted Aly Raisman, who is suing the organization. Raisman had previously slammed Tracy for her support for Nassar when his accusers first came forward with their harrowing accounts of his sexual abuse.
Who is designing the U.S. uniforms for the 2020 Olympics?
Nike will design and produce the competition uniforms for members of the United States Olympics and Paralympics teams. The medal stand uniforms will be white to allow the medals to stand out, and the jackets and shorts athletes will rock at the ceremonies will be made from 100 percent recycled materials (polyester and nylon, respectively). Nike will also produce sneakers for athletes, as well as all team uniforms, including the very first ever Team U.S.A. skateboarding uniforms. Uniforms will all be produced from sustainable and recycled materials.
Who is the mascot for the 2020 Olympics?
The 2020 Olympics mascot is Miraitowa. Miraitowa’s name comes from the Japanese words for “future” and “eternity.” Miraitowa has cat-like ears and anime-style features, with a dark blue pattern on its body reminiscent of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics emblem. The Paralympic mascot is Someity, whose name is a combination of the English “so mighty” and the Someiyoshino cherry blossom. Need more Olympics knowledge? Look back at Parade’s Olympics covers through the years.
