Tokyo Olympics: Start date, full schedule, COVID-19 protocol, how to watch

After being postponed in 2020, all indicators at the moment level to the Tokyo Olympics shifting forward in 2021, regardless of rising COVID-19 circumstances in Japan’s capital resulting in a 3rd state of emergency for the town. Here is every thing it is advisable know.

When will the Tokyo Olympics happen?

The opening ceremony is scheduled for July 23 and the closing ceremony takes place Aug. 9.

What is the schedule?

You may try the total, up to date schedule right here. As of July 12, the video games are scheduled to characteristic 33 competitions and 339 occasions held throughout 42 venues.

May the Olympics be canceled once more?

Good query. Some experiences stated that, privately, some Japanese politicians brazenly believed the Olympics must be canceled a second time. Nevertheless, the IOC president disputed that declare, saying he believes the Olympics would completely go forward as scheduled.

Japan is at the moment affected by a spike in COVID-19 infections. Lower than 4% of the Japanese inhabitants has been vaccinated at time of writing, and a petition to cancel the Olympics has been signed by a whole bunch of hundreds of individuals. Regardless of this, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga believes Japan can run a “protected and safe Olympics.”

How will Japan maintain the Olympics protected from COVID-19?

Japan has been within the technique of issuing protocols in an try and maintain the Olympics protected. These collaborating within the Olympics should use Japan’s COCOA Publicity Notification app and be examined for COVID-19 each 4 days.

Vaccinations aren’t obligatory for Olympic athletes participating within the video games, however many international locations are ensuring all of its athletes are vaccinated earlier than attending.

The IOC has launched numerous “playbooks” for individuals, employees and journalists masking the Olympics. Should you’re curious, you possibly can learn them right here.

Can audiences attend the Olympics?

Tickets initially offered out for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, however as of proper now, spectators will likely be barred from attending the video games in Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Occasions held outdoors the world lined by the emergency (just like the marathon) will enable spectators, however they will be requested to not cheer the runners on the roads, as famous by The New York Occasions.

We all know for positive that worldwide spectators will not have the ability to attend. All abroad of us have had their tickets refunded.

Why is not it referred to as the 2021 Olympics?

One other good query. Regardless of the actual fact it is going down in 2021, these Olympics are nonetheless being formally known as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Tokyo Olympics emblem

The brand is that this checkered circle, designed by Tokyo-based artist Asao Tokolo.

“This chequered design within the conventional Japanese coloration of indigo blue expresses a refined class and class that exemplifies Japan,” the Worldwide Olympic Committee explains. The three completely different shapes inside the sample characterize range, equality and pleasure.

How you can watch the Olympics

The Olympics are again on NBC, with a 24/7 stream on-line if you happen to confirm you are a cable subscriber. NBCSports Gold can have a devoted Olympics bundle — pay an upfront price and you’ll watch anyplace, uninterrupted by advertisements.

Tokyo is 16 hours forward of the West Coast, so watching dwell ought to get an excellent unfold of occasions. It is a little bit trickier on the East Coast, the place you could have to depend on highlights.

The BBC will cowl the video games on TV, radio and on-line within the UK, with extra on Eurosport, a pay-TV channel. The time distinction there may be 8 hours, so you may need to rise up very early within the morning to observe dwell.

In Australia, the Seven Community will unfold free-to-air protection over Channel Seven, 7Mate and 7Two. It is a good yr for watching Down Underneath, with Sydney solely an hour forward of Tokyo.

Now playing:
Watch this:

Live TV streaming services for cord cutters: How to choose…

2:44

What events are new?

There are six new or returning Olympic sports to pay attention to. Missing in London and Rio, men’s baseball and women’s softball are back due to their huge popularity in Japan. Five nations will join the hosts in competing for gold on the diamond. (Just don’t ask me to explain how they qualify.) Karate, sport climbing, surfing and skateboarding are also new, in a “How do you do, kids?” move by the IOC. In the same vein, basketball adds a three-on-three tournament for eight nations. Rugby sevens, a variant that features seven players on each side, and golf return after debuting in Rio.

Where is the next Summer Olympics?

Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics, having lost out to London for 2012. The US gets a shot in 2028, when it’ll be in Los Angeles. The Olympics website has cool pages on every games of the modern era, going back to Athens in 1896.