After being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Olympic Games are finally here. Today, we are here to inform you of the continued controversy over the 2020 Olympics taking place during an ongoing pandemic with its basics. So, buckle up!
When and where it’ll take place?
The 2020 Olympics kicks off on July 23 and goes through Sunday, August 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. The opening ceremony will be held at 8 pm local time in Japan.
Why is it calling the 2020 Olympics?
In 2021, it would make total sense to call these the 2021 Olympics, but the International Olympic Committee decided to retain 2020 in the official name because the Games were originally slated to take place last summer.
Over 160 LGBTQ athletes will compete at Olympics, setting a global record
There will be record participation by LGBTQ athletes: at least 163, nearly triple the 56 who participated in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. About 34 will be from the US, including five members of the women’s basketball team and four members of the women’s soccer team. The Tokyo Games will also be the first at which openly transgender athletes will compete, including New Zealand weightlifter Laure Hubbard, who was selected for the women’s super-heavyweight 87 kilogram-plus (192 pound-plus) category.
Still at least 100 US athletes unvaccinated
About 100 of the 613 US athletes descending on Tokyo for the Olympics are unvaccinated. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s medical chief said hours before Friday night’s opening ceremony. Medical director Jonathan Finnoff said 567 of the American athletes had filled out their health histories as they prepared for the trip, and an estimated 83% had replied they were vaccinated.
All athletes in the refugee team to join the opening ceremony
All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organizer said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe
Where you can watch the Olympic ceremony?
All times are Eastern
NBC: 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
NBCSN: 24-hour coverage
USA: 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Olympic Channel: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Biggest Events
All times are Eastern
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Rowing – Qualifying heats (NBCSN)
6:55 a.m. Friday: Opening Ceremony (NBC)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Rowing – Qualifying heats and repechages (USA)
10 p.m. Friday: Cycling – Men’s road race (USA)
10 p.m. Friday: Tennis – Men’s and women’s action (Olympic Channel)
Tape-delayed events:
7:30 p.m. Friday: Opening Ceremony (NBC)
How to watch the Tokyo Olympics on TV, streaming online?
The Tokyo Olympics will air across NBC, USA, CNBC, NBCSN, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA and GOLF Channel in addition to Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC Sports app.
