The Summer Olympics were to originally take place in 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were postponed to this upcoming summer. They are currently set to occur July 23 through Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo. This will be the second time that the country has hosted the games.
The question arises, “Will the games be postponed a second time as the pandemic continues?” As of right now, they are still set to occur this summer. Many rumors have circulated, suspecting that they will be canceled. To address these rumors, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a statement on Twitter on Jan. 22, stating that the proper precautions would be taken so that the games could continue this year. Kudo News reported a statement from the organization’s president:
“We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo,” said International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach. “There is no Plan B.”
While it is not impossible that the games will be postponed again, it does not seem likely at this point. It is not yet clear if a live audience will be present at the event. This decision will be made by the end of the coming spring.
This is the first time the Games have been postponed in the 125 years since they began. The event has only been completely canceled three times in 1916, 1940 and 1944 due to World War I and II.
Sports that will be played include the usual: swimming, gymnastics and volleyball. The Olympics has added new events as well. Karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing will all be shown. Baseball will also make its return after not being played for the past two Olympic Games.
Athletes, such as gymnast Simone Biles, have hopes that the Olympics will occur:
“Whatever they say they want us to do, I’m in 100 percent, because I’ve been training so hard, and I’ve just been so ready,” Biles told the Today Show.
Other athletes that are expected to be seen, including swimmer Katie Ledecky, tennis player Serena Williams and diver David Boudia. In total, around 11,000 athletes have qualified to participate in the various events so far.
Fans do not have to wait for the official Olympics to begin at the end of July, however. They can get an early look at some of the action during the United States trials. Trials for swimming will take place June 13-20, while track and field will occur June 18-27 and gymnastics will be June 24-27.
As always, NBC will be broadcasting the Olympics to viewers. Coverage will begin in the United States at 6:55 a.m. EST on July 23 with the live Opening Ceremony showing at 7 a.m. The ceremony will be taking place live at 8 p.m. in Tokyo.
According to Bach, the Winter Olympic Games are still set to take place in Feb. 2022 in Beijing. These will run from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20.
Rebekah Davidson
Intern