The 32nd Edition of Olympic Games is set to take place in Tokyo, Japan from 23rd July, 2021 – 8th August, 2021. As many as 206 National Olympic Committee (NOC) Countries are participating in the games.
i.Summer Olympic Mascot – ‘MIRAITOWA’
ii.The 2020 Games mark the 2nd time that Japan is hosting the Summer Olympic Games, the 1st one also took place in Tokyo in 1964. It is the 1st City in Asia to host the Summer Games Twice (Including Winter Games, it is the 4th Olympic Games in Japan).
iii.There are 339 Medal Events in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
- Karate, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, and 4x400m mixed relay are set to make their Olympic debut in the 2020 Olympics.
- Baseball & Softball have been reintroduced to the Medal Events after their absence since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
iv.The Olympics are organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
India’s Squad
India is sending a 228-member Contingent to the Tokyo Olympics, which includes 119 athletes (67 male & 52 female). It will be India’s largest ever contingent of athletes at the Olympics.
- It is competing in 85 medal events.
- Mary Kom (Boxing) & Manpreet Singh (Hockey) will be India’s flag bearers in the Opening Ceremony, while Bajrang Punia (Wrestling) will be the flag bearer for the Closing ceremony.
Fact – India has appeared in every edition of Summer Olympics since 1920, although making its official debut at 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Key Points
i.Deepak Kabra has become the 1st Indian to be selected for judging the Gymnastics competition of the Olympic Games. He will officiate the men’s artistic gymnasts.
ii.Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur virtually launched
The official cheer song ‘Hindustani Way’ for the Indian Contingent. It is performed by singer Ananya Birla and composed by veteran Indian music composer AR Rahman.
iii.The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) & International Olympics Committee (IOC) have created a series of 6 stamp sheets to highlight the contribution of sports to peace around the world.
- The sports which have been featured in the stamp are sailing, baseball, judo, diving, equestrian, and golf.
- The stamps have been illustrated by Japanese artist Satoshi Hashimoto and feature the Olympic rings and a dove of peace with the slogan “Sport for peace”.
iv.Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus is set to receive the Olympic Laurel award for 2020 during the inauguration event. He is 2nd recipient of the Olympic Laurel Award (1st recipient – Kip Keino of Kenya).
- It was initiated in Rio Olympics 2016 to honour outstanding individuals for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport.
Paralympics
The Paralympic Games, featuring athletes with an impairment, take place shortly after every Olympic Games in the same host city.
- The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held from 24th August – 5th September, 2021. Mascot – Someity.
- India is sending a 24-member contingent for the Paralympic games.
- Indian athletes have appeared in every edition of the Summer Paralympics since 1984, though India made their official debut at the 1968 Summer Paralympics held in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Key Points
i.Mariyappan Thangavelu (Para High Jumper) has been named as India’s flag bearer for Tokyo Paralympics.
ii.Lalinakere Yathiraj, District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar will represent India in Para-Badminton.
Olympic Motto Amended
The Olympic Motto was amended to ‘faster, higher, stronger – together’ and ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communis’ in Latin during the IOC’s session in Tokyo.
- The word ‘together’ or ‘Communic’ after a hyphen has been added to the earlier motto.
- The Olympic motto was adopted with the launch of the Olympic Movement in 1894 at the urging of founder Pierre de Coubertin.
About International Olympic Committee (IOC)
President – Thomas Bach
Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
