There’s never been an Olympics like this one. Delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Held without spectators in mostly empty venues. Athletes restricted from visiting tourist sights or using public transportation. Japanese protestors decrying the cost of the Games and the threat of a pandemic surge after the 2020 Olympics are over. A Canadian friend of mine who once lived in Japan speculated that the Olympics are so costly on so many fronts, they might just disappear altogether.
All that aside, Japan has made massive efforts to bring the international competition to fruition. Vowing that the 2020 Summer Olympics (yes, it’s still called the 2020 Olympics –think of the headache of rebranding and updating merchandise) would showcase the latest in technology, sustainability and accessibility, there are many firsts for this year’s Games.
Robots will give directions, greet athletes and perform other duties. Recycled materials were used in the production of Olympic medals, relay torches and more. Four sports are making their first-ever debut. Mascots for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were chosen by Japanese elementary-school children.
But Japan also made history when it staged three other Olympics, including the first Summer and Winter Games ever held in Asia. For more information on the 2020 Olympics and Japan’s previous games, see my article What you want to know about this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, published in 10Best.com/USATODAY.
