Tokyo 2020
In 1964 Tokyo already hosted the greatest sports event on earth. On 7 September 2013, the 125th IOC Session selected Tokyo as the host of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The city chose “Discover tomorrow” as its theme. Tokyo managed to beat Madrid and Istanbul after two rounds of voting.
From end of July 2020 until the beginning of August 2021, there are 33 disciplines on the programmes, five more than in Rio 2016. Baseball/softball, karate, climbing, skateboarding and surfing are the Olympic newcomers. They will only be included in the Tokyo Games for the time being. Athletes will compete in 22 sports at the Paralympic Games.
Tokyo 2020 mainly consists of two thematic and operational zones.
The ‘Heritage Zone‘, is home to various iconic venues that were used during the Tokyo 1964 Games, such as the prestigious Nippon Budokkan for judo, Baji Koen Park for equestrian events and Yoyogi National Gymnasium for handball.
Tokyo National Stadium, where the opening and closing events and all athletics events will be held, will be completely renovated and a new arena built.
The ‘Tokyo Bay Zone’ serves as a model for innovative urban planning and symbolises the city’s exciting future.
<< Musashino Forest Sports Plaza
(including badminton & wheelchair basketball)
Many westerners have no idea that Tokyo is not a city, but a “conglomerate of cities”. In addition to the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo, the metropolis is made up of various other cities, towns, villages and even various islands in the Pacific. On 1 July 2012, the total population of the Prefecture of Tokyo amounted to over 13.2 million inhabitants
In terms of sports, Tokyo has two professional baseball teams, the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows. Besides this, the Japanese Sumo Federation has its headquarters here and the city also has several football clubs, including FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy. Basketball and volleyball are also very popular and they also have three rugby teams.
