Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

How the Tokyo Olympics will be different

How the Tokyo Olympics will be different

TOKYO 2020 will be an Olympics like no other: held during a pandemic with crowds of tourists banned, extravagant celebrations replaced by tough infection controls, and even victory hugs off the cards.

Here are some of the ways the pandemic-delayed Games will be different:


'Restrained' ceremonies

Rio, London and Beijing's opening ceremonies dazzled the world with lavish effects and spectacular choreography involving thousands of performers in packed stadiums.

But the coronavirus-era version on July 23 will be "simpler and more restrained", organisers have said, to reduce infection risks and stay "in tune with the situation".

Fewer athletes will attend the opening and closing ceremonies, Olympic officials said in January, with reports at the time suggesting just 6,000 of the 11,000 competitors would be at the opener.

Tokyo's ceremonies are also expected to have a sombre aspect - paying tribute to the millions killed in the coronavirus pandemic as well as the victims of Japan's 2011 quake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.

No medal-kissing

Athletes will have to put their own medals on, and they won't be able to kiss them, because they must wear a mask on the podium.

This could make candid moments - like when cyclist Bradley Wiggins suddenly pulled a silly face as the British national anthem played in Rio - less likely.

Other fun photo-ops will also be difficult to repeat in Tokyo, where athletes are required to keep a distance of two metres from other participants.

At Rio, a snap of US gymnast Ragan Smith - who is just 1.37m tall - standing next to 2.11m basketball player DeAndrew Jordan went viral, as did a selfie from a pair of North and South Korean gymnasts.

Even without social distancing, the latter is now impossible, as North Korea has pulled out of the Tokyo Games to protect its athletes from the virus.

Fewer crowds

Japan had hoped for a huge influx of visitors this summer, boosting business for hotels, tour operators and Tokyo's many cat cafes.

But overseas spectators were barred months ago, and now nearly all Games events will take place behind closed doors.

The number of people entering Japan for the Olympics and Paralympics will be halved, with around 68,500 athletes, coaches, backroom staff, officials, IOC members, media and broadcasters expected - down from an estimated 200,000.

Participants will mostly be confined to their accommodation, with sightseeing forbidden and athletes required to leave the Olympic Village 48 hours after they finish competing.

No cheering

In Rio, Fiji's rugby sevens team burst into song after winning gold, their country's first-ever Olympic medal.

But this summer, singing is to be avoided along with shouting and cheering. Participants are instead urged to clap or find other ways to celebrate that does not risk spreading droplets

Fireworks, banners, mascots and other flashy spectacles will also be scaled back at Tokyo, to cut costs which have ballooned since the event was postponed.

Strict rules

Athletes will take daily virus tests and are advised to "keep physical interactions with others to a minimum".

But whether this will put a dampener on notorious Olympic Village hook-ups remains to be seen. Organisers are still planning to hand out 160,000 condoms, but say athletes won't get them until they are leaving, and will be told they're for use back in their home countries.

Hugs, handshakes and high-fives are all discouraged - reducing the chances of a controversy like when Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby refused to shake the hand of Israel's Os Sasson at Rio after losing to him.

El Shehaby was booed by the crowd - another no-no at the Tokyo Games - and was eventually sent home from Rio.

At Tokyo 2020, athletes, media and other officials who break the virus rules could face disqualification from the Games or even deportation from Japan.

(AFP)

More For You

India vs Pakistan

The PCB had complained to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in Sunday’s Asia Cup match.

Getty Images

ICC rejects PCB request to drop Pycroft from Asia Cup panel

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Pakistan’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup. The decision came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) blamed the Zimbabwean official for the “no handshake” incident during their game against India and reportedly threatened to pull out of the tournament.

The PCB had complained to the ICC, alleging that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss in Sunday’s Asia Cup match.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
'This Girl Can' calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport with bold new visibility drive

This Girl Can calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport

'This Girl Can' calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport with bold new visibility drive

Highlights:

  • New ‘We Like the Way You Move’ campaign launched by Sport England initiative This Girl Can.
  • Focus on improving representation of South Asian Muslim women in sport and physical activity.
  • Research highlights stark under-representation of women of colour in public sports imagery.
  • Campaign calls on providers to create inclusive, women-only and culturally sensitive spaces.

This Girl Can has unveiled a powerful new campaign spotlighting South Asian Muslim women in sport, aiming to redefine what being active looks like and tackle deep-rooted barriers. The We Like the Way You Move drive, launched by Sport England, uses strong visuals with community-driven storytelling to encourage participation and promote inclusivity. It comes alongside new data exposing how women of colour remain overlooked in public representations of physical activity.

This Girl Can calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport www.easterneye.biz

Keep ReadingShow less
India vs Pakistan

With this victory, India have won both their matches and are close to qualifying for the Super Fours stage. (Photo: Getty Images)

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Asia Cup, no handshakes after match

Highlights:

  • India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their first meeting since the May conflict.
  • Indian players left the field without handshakes, citing alignment with government and BCCI.
  • Pakistan lodged a protest over the post-match conduct.
  • Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the armed forces.

INDIA defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup T20 in Dubai on Sunday. It was the first meeting between the two sides since their military conflict in May.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan brace for high-stakes clash

Cricket fans with their bodies painted in the colours of the Indian and Pakistani national flags pose for photographs ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)

Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan brace for high-stakes clash

INDIA and Pakistan face off on Sunday (14) in their first T20 International in more than 15 months, a contest carrying both sporting and political weight.

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has urged his players to put emotions aside after recent cross-border tensions, stressing that focus must remain on cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less