2020 Tokyo Olympics and What to Expect

In a few days time, the world of sports will converge in Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 Olympic Games. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was originally scheduled to hold in 2020 but it was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The city of Tokyo is expected to host 206 countries in 33 different sports from the 23rd of July to the 8th of August 2021.

In the usual manner of the Olympic Games, the opening ceremony will take place to commemorate the start of the event. This event is marked by a host of performances. Such performances include the parade of nations and the display of the Olympic rings.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and what to expect

This year's Olympics game is set to crown new champions in different sporting events. Some notable categories include:

Sprints

In the sprints category, a new champion for the 100 and 200 meter category will be decided. The category was previously dominated by Jamaican athlete Usain bolt. He retired after the last tournament in 2016, having won the gold medal in the last three Olympic competitions.

Commonwealth Games record holder for fastest time in the women's 100 meters sprint category Blessing Okagbare will be representing Nigeria in the 100 and 200 meters sprint categories.

Swimming

In swimming, a new champion will also be crowned in the 200 meter butterfly, 4/100 meter freestyle, 4/200 meter freestyle and 4/100 meter medley. These categories were previously dominated by American swimmer Micheal Phelps who had won the gold medal in each category since his debut in the Olympics in 2004.

Abiola Ogunbawo would be representing Nigeria in the swimming category.

Tennis

Tennis sensation Naomi Osaka who is currently ranked second in the world will be making her debut appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for the host country Japan.

Great Britain's Andy Murray will fight to defend his title in the men's category.

Football and basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

In men's football, defending champions Brazil will also try to defend their crown which they won on home soil in 2016

Unfortunately, Nigeria did not qualify for football, however, Nigeria will be represented in ten sports at the tournament. The male basketball team is already showing great promise after beating both the United States of America and Argentina at friendly games. They shocked the basketball world and are now considered one of the teams to look out for in the basketball category.

Team Nigeria at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The Nigerian Olympics team comprises 60 athletes who would be competing in various categories to win gold medals for the country. The ten sports where the athletes would feature include:

• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Rowing
• Table Tennis
• Swimming
• Canoe Sprint
• Wrestling
• Taekwondo
• Artistic Gymnastics

Effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Originally scheduled to hold in 2020, the event had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The International Olympics Committee announced that most of the games would be held within close doors with strict Covid-19 prevention protocols to. avoid a spread of the virus.

Part of these protocols includes a ban on International guests and spectators inside the stadiums. Only spectators who reside in any of the host cities will be allowed into the stadiums. Vaccination of athletes was also recommended by the committee but not mandated. However, athletes are advised to stay away from areas that include the general local population.

New sports added to the Olympic Games

The 2021 Olympics will see an addition of five new sports to the competition in order to create more variety. The five new sports included in the competition are:

• Karate
• Skateboarding
• Surfing
• Sport climbing
• Baseball