The future is bright and what better place for the 2020 Olympic Summer Games to take place than the futuristic city of Tokyo, Japan. There is no better way to start off a new decade than with the Summer Olympics—an event that aims to bring unity to the world through the power of sport. The opening ceremony on July 24th, 2020 will be the official kick-off for the international spectacle taking place in over forty venues around the Japanese capital city. This is not the first Olympics for the country; Japan previously hosted the Summer Games in 1964 and the Winter Games in 1972 and 1988. The incredible events will continue through to August 9th following a two-week break before the Paralympics start on August 25th.
New Anticipated Sports
The summer Olympics happen once every four years and this summer, the world will have its eyes on the athletes that have been training day and night for the chance to represent their countries on the world stage. The Tokyo 2020 Games will be much different than in Rio with five new sports being added to the already incredible lineup of events. Skateboarding, sports climbing, surfing, baseball/softball as well as karate will all make their debut this summer. Not only will these new sports be added to other existing sports like fencing, but boxing and canoeing will see additional events added in order to balance gender equality. Basketball will add a three-on-three tournament and Rugby sevens and golf will be back after debuting during the Rio Games in 2016. A total of 33 sports are scheduled for inclusion and fans are already excited to cheer their countries on.
Adorable Mascots
The mascots for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games were revealed in July to excited fans. The mascot, named, Miraitowa, is styled in an indigo blue Ichimatsu pattern which reflects the Tokyo 2020 Games emblem. The name is a blend of traditional and modern combining the Japanese words for future “mirai” and eternity “towa.” The adorable mascots designs were selected by children across Japan giving the youth of the nation a reason to celebrate well before the Olympics officially kick-off. The organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori spoke about the mascots at the revealing ceremony saying, “You have helped to pick them and across the country, I believe, 5 million children helped to pick this. And the name is also something we have picked together. So this Olympics belongs to everyone.”
Recycled Medals
It is an honor to win a medal but this year it will be even more meaningful as the 2020 medals will be the first in Olympic history to be sustainable. Yes, the gold, silver, and bronze medals are breaking records already as they have been made out of donated mobile phones from the Japanese public. Over 6 million used phones were collected over a two-year span in order to produce the recycled precious metals needed for the project. The distinctive design resembles rough stones that have been polished to a gleaming shine.
A More Sustainable Olympics
Sustainability is at the front and center of the Olympic games and the sustainable medals are just the start. In December of 2018, the United Nations Sports for Climate Action along with the IOC created a framework that places climate action and sports on the same agenda. The goal for Tokyo 2020 is to use the framework to guide initiatives to reduce and absorb CO2. Tokyo 2020 Games will be using an incredible about of sustainable products from recycled plastic for podiums to recycled polyester and plant-based materials for the staff and volunteer uniforms. Maybe the most meaningful of all is the Olympic torch that has been created from aluminum waste previously used as temporary housing during the Great East Japan Earthquake. The simple materials that were once used to give shelter to those in need during a natural disaster will now be used to celebrate the future.
Tokyo Stadium
The Tokyo Stadium, not to be confused with the Olympic Stadium, is located in Chofu has a seating capacity of almost fifty thousand and will host sports like football, rugby, pentathlon events. While the venue is out of town this will give fans a chance to see more of the incredible city en route to the games.
Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium will host the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies as well as various other athletic events. Centrally located, this impressive building was designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma to accommodate over sixty thousand visitors. The new stadium replaces the old one first built in 1964.
Olympic Aquatics Centre
It wouldn’t be the summer Olympics without water sports. The Olympic Aquatics Centre will host water polo, diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, and will be comprised of the main pool, a sub-pool, and a diving tank. The impressive architecture aims to welcome a million visitors a year after it hosts some of the Olympic’s most favored athletes in 2020.
By Amy N. Pugsley
