Games Of The XXXII Olympiad

Photo Credit https://olympic.ca/games/2020-tokyo/

Controversy continues to surround the Olympic Games taking place in Japan with the official kick-off scheduled for July 23rd running through to August 8th that has Athletes from around the world questioning the status for Covid-19.

No question that the games continue to be surrounded by questionable circumstances, considering that they were initially postponed from their usual quadrennial schedule due to the global pandemic. 

Initially scheduled for last summer (2020) they are officially set to take place a full one year later all despite a date which was changed in March 2020, but strangely enough they will still be known as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Some sports have their qualification based on world ranking lists, but many sports have direct qualification based on results achieved in particular events.

Team Canada Tokyo 2020 Qualification Tracker 

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many events impacting qualification were cancelled. Following the postponement of the Games, new qualification pathways were implemented by the IOC and international sports federations. 

Any quota spots awarded prior to the postponement will remain allocated to the countries and athletes who earned them. You can see all the quota spots allocated to Team Canada in the Tokyo 2020 Qualification Tracker.

Athletes who have been officially nominated to Team Canada for Tokyo 2020 will be included on the Team Canada Roster page. 

As National Sports Organizations hold their official Team Announcements, those teams will appear at the bottom of this page.

Team Canada Tokyo 2020 Roster 

Getting to know Japan

An archipelago comprises of four (4) main islands, namely Hokkaido, Honshu (largest island), Shikoku, Kyushu, that has Japan sit between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula.

Japan’s population is close to 127 million and is the 11th most populous country in the world., where more than 98% of the population is ethnically Japanese. 

The country has the third-longest life expectancy in the world, behind only Monaco and Macau. Tokyo itself is home to more than 38 million people, making it the country’s largest city.

Japan has a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy and dating back to January 1989 the head of state has been Emperor Akihito in which the official language of the country is Japanese. 

Japan’s National Anthem, “Kimigayo”, was unofficial since 1883 before being adopted in 1999 that has the lyrics dating back to (at least) the 10th century, making them the oldest national anthem lyrics in the world.

Japan runs on Japanese Standard Time which is 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic mascot “Miraitowa”, left, and Paralympic mascot “Someity”, right. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Miraitowa is the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot. A traditional Japanese proverb that means to learn old things well and to acquire new knowledge from them is the origin of the mascot’s personality, combining an old-fashioned side that respects tradition and an innovative side that loves cutting-edge information and ideas. 

The name also reflects that, with “Mirai” meaning “future” and “Towa” meaning eternity. Highly athletic with a strong sense of justice, Miraitowa’s special skill is the ability to move anywhere instantaneously like a ninja. On the body and head is the same indigo ichimatsu pattern as the Games emblem.

Tokyo 2020 Torch

With its cherry blossom motif, the torch to be used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay has been designed with the people and history of Japan in mind. 

Approximately 30 percent of the torch is made from recycled aluminum originally used in the construction of houses after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, symbolizing Japanese efforts towards reconstruction and sustainability.  

The torch’s flames emerge from five “flower petals,” corresponding to the five Olympic rings. The flames join at the centre to form a brilliant light, representing the Olympic flame and aligning with Tokyo 2020’s concept of “Hope Lights Our Way.”

Thanks to Team Canada for part of the article. Sportswave wishes all Athlete’s success, but most of all Stay Safe!!!