The start of 2020 means we’re officially in an Olympics year with the Summer Games going to Tokyo, as the city hosts its first Summer Olympics since 1964. The last time Japan hosted the Olympics in general was in 1998 with the Winter Games in Nagano.
The 2020 Summer Olympics begin July 24 and end August 9. Although those are also the dates of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, soccer and softball will begin competition on July 22. The Paralympic Games begin August 25 and end September 6.
The 2020 Tokyo Summer Games follow 2016 in Rio, 2012 in London, 2008 in Beijing, 2004 in Athens and 2000 in Sydney. Additionally, Paris will host the 2024 Olympics, while the 2028 Games will be in Los Angeles.
Although the Olympics are still several months away, we’re answering some basic questions about what will happen in Tokyo this summer.
What are the new sports for the 2020 Olympics?
There are five new sports for the 2020 Tokyo Games, but some are familiar to mainstream sports fans. Baseball and softball, karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will be part of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Although basketball certainly isn’t new, the 3×3 discipline is for these Games.
Overall, there are 33 sports and 50 disciplines with 165 events for men, 156 for women and 18 mixed or open events.
What is the time difference between the U.S. and Japan?
In the summer, Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Time and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Time. So events that begin in the morning locally will be in prime time on the East Coast.
What are the venues for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
Eight new venues — including the Tokyo National Stadium, where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, athletics events and some soccer will be held — are being constructed. Thirty-five existing venues will be used, including some from past Games in Japan such as the Nippon Budokkan for judo, the Baji Koen Park for equestrian events and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for handball.
How many times has Japan hosted the Olympics?
The 2020 Summer Games will mark the fourth time Japan has hosted the Olympics, following Tokyo in 1964 (Summer), Sapporo in 1972 (Winter) and Nagano in 1998 (Winter).
What are the logos for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics?
Known as the harmonized checkered emblem, this pattern became known as ichimatsu moyo during Japan’s Edo Period from 1603-1867, and the logo represents the Games’ message of unity in diversity. More from Tokyo2020.org:
[T]his chequered design in the traditional Japanese colour of indigo blue expresses a refined elegance and sophistication that exemplifies Japan.
Composed of three varieties of rectangular shapes, the design represents different countries, cultures and ways of thinking. It incorporates the message of “unity in diversity”.
What are the mascots for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics?
The Olympic mascot is named Miraitowa, which was chosen to celebrate a future of “eternal hope in the hearts of people all over the world,” according to the Olympics official website. The name is rooted in two Japanese words: mirai, or future, and towa, meaning eternity.
More from Olympic.org:
With its traditional and futurist style, the mascot embodies both the old and the new, echoing the concept of “innovation from harmony”. Its forehead bears the emblem of the Tokyo 2020 Games, whose traditional chessboard motif is composed of indigo blue rectangles of three different sizes.
The Paralympic mascot is named Someity, which is derived from the word someiyoshino, a popular type of cherry blossom, according to the Paralympic website. More via Paralympic.org:
Someity has tactile cherry blossom sensors and exhibits enormous mental and physical strength. It represents Paralympic athletes who overcome obstacles and redefine the boundaries of what is possible.
What is the Olympic motto?
The Olympic motto is simple: Citius, Altius, Fortius. The translation from Latin means: Faster, Higher, Stronger. It was adopted in 1894, the same time the International Olympic Committee was created.
The Olympic creed is: “The important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well.”
When is the next Winter Olympics?
Beijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics and will become the first city to host both Summer and Winter Games.
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