The Tokyo Olympics are here, along with all the trappings of a spectacle. In the Japanese capital, flags bearing the event’s official name “Tokyo 2020” flutter in the streets around grand stadiums and newly renovated train stations, a nod to a year that many would rather forget and a reminder of the extraordinary circumstances the games are being held under.But while the usual hardware of an Olympics has all come together, the Tokyo Games will be unlike any other. Held a year later than scheduled in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the games have banned hugging and high fives. Athletes, if they reach the podium, are required to hang medals around their own neck. The host city is in a state of emergency. Most events will be held without spectators.
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Fans are disappointed, but others have questioned why Japan is hosting an international event at all.To help you navigate the “No-Fun” Olympics, VICE compiled a list of things you need to know ahead of the games. Hopefully, you’ll be able to salvage some pleasure while watching from your couch.The 32nd Olympics will begin on Friday, July 23, with the opening ceremony starting at 8 p.m., Japan time. The games will end on Sunday, Aug. 8, at the same time. This year, we’ll see 33 sports at 339 events, in across 42 venues. Most sporting events will be held in the Greater Tokyo Area, but some soccer games and the marathon will take place in the northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido. This is largely due to concerns over Tokyo’s sweltering summer heat. The Paralympics will feature 22 sports at 539 events, in 21 venues, and are from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.Yes. The opening ceremony is one of the most watched events during the Olympics, and will be held on July 23 at 8 p.m., Japan time. Usually the opening ceremony is centered on the Olympics’ key theme, this year it’s “United by Emotion,” and celebrates the host country’s culture. Performers have yet to be announced but people are hoping Nintendo’s Mario will appear—during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dressed up as the famous video game plumber during the closing ceremony.
Where and when will the Olympics take place?
Will there be an opening ceremony?
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Who’s competing in this year’s Summer Olympic Games?
Who can watch the Olympic Games live?
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So then how do people still show support for their favorite athletes?
How can I watch the Tokyo Olympic Games?
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Complementary coverage, such as athlete interviews and game highlights, will also be aired on the Olympic Channel. This is an accessible platform for anyone around the world. Karate, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing will be featured for the first time this year. Karate, originally a martial art from Okinawa, has been seeking a spot in the Olympics since the 1970s. The two featured disciplines will be kata, the demonstration discipline where an Olympian’s techniques are judged, and kumite, the fighting discipline. Skateboarding will feature two categories: Park and street. Park competitions will be held in a dome-like concrete structure, where skaters have 45 seconds to demonstrate their tricks. Street will feature a park with rails, stairs, and other features typically seen in skateparks. Sport climbing will feature three disciplines: Speed, bouldering, and lead. For speed, two athletes will compete head-to-head to see who reaches the top fastest. During bouldering, Olympians have 4 minutes to climb as many routes on the 4-meter (13-foot) wall as possible. It’s also the only discipline without a safety rope. The lead category gives athletes 6 minutes to climb a 15-meter (49-foot) wall. They only have one chance to get to the highest spot possible. Given that sports climbing is a single event, climbers are expected to compete in all three disciplines.
What new sports are debuting at the Tokyo Olympics?
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For surfing, athletes will be judged by a five-person panel. Each wave a surfer rides will be given a score from 1 to 10. The lowest and highest score will be thrown out and the average of the three remaining scores will be their overall score. Surfers can ride an unlimited number of waves. Men’s baseball and women’s softball will also return this year after a hiatus from the last two Summer Games.
What are the COVID-19 restrictions in place during the Olympics?
What will Olympians eat during the games?
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Athletes can expect ramen, udon, grilled wagyu beef, tempura, takoyaki (octopus-filled battered balls), and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), but no sushi, according to the news agency. Safety regulations prohibit chefs from serving the widely acclaimed raw fish.