7 Interesting Facts Behind the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that You Must Know! Let's Find Out

Kapanlagi.com - The Olympics is a renowned international sports event held every four years. As the world's largest sporting competition, the Olympics is always attended by thousands of athletes from various countries around the world. In 2021, the Olympics is once again held in Tokyo, Japan.

Behind the organization of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, there are interesting facts that must be known by KLlovers. Here are 7 interesting facts about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics summarized from various sources, Monday (02/08/2021). 

1. Postponed for a Year Due to Covid-19

Athletics Competition Day Two of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 (Credit: instagram.com/tokyo2020)

The Tokyo Olympics were originally scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, 2020 in Japan. However, the high number of Covid-19 cases forced the prestigious event to be postponed for a year. Moreover, a survey conducted in Japan on June 21, 2020 revealed that 62% of respondents chose to postpone or cancel the Tokyo Olympics 2020 temporarily. As a result, the Tokyo Olympics 2020 was canceled in 2020 and the event will be held the following year from July 23 to August 8, 2021. Despite taking place in 2021, the Tokyo Olympic Committee decided to keep the official name as Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and also use the merchandise with the 2020 branding that was produced in the previous year.

2. Spending the Largest Funds in Olympic History

Tokyo National Stadium (Credit: instagram.com/olympics)

Due to Covid-19 and the one-year delay, the amount of funds spent on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has ballooned. The funds, originally estimated at around US$7.6 billion, have swelled to US$12.6 billion in 2020. Not only that, the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics has also resulted in an additional cost of US$2.8 billion, making the total cost of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics reach US$15.4 billion. This has made the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the most expensive Olympics in history.

3. Participated by Over 200 Countries

Winners of the Women's Long Jump event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Credit: instagram.com/tokyo2020)

As reported by NBC Sports, this sporting event, which made Japan the host, has 11,500 participants from 206 countries around the world. Among them are the United States, South Korea, China, and even Indonesia. So far, China leads the medal standings with 62 medals. Then followed by the United States in second place and Japan in third place. Indonesia itself ranks 35th with 1 gold medal, 1 silver, and 3 bronzes. 

4. Utilizing Recycled Goods

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Credit: instagram.com/tokyo2020))

Another interesting fact about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is the use of recycled goods donated by the Japanese people. In 2017, the Japanese government asked the public to donate their unwanted or unused electronic items. The collection of these electronic waste items took place for approximately two years. Within that two-year period, Japan managed to collect a total of 78,985 tons of electronic waste and recycle it into 5,000 medals used for the current Tokyo Olympics. Not only medals, but the Japanese government also took the initiative to use recycled materials for beds, uniforms, and even podiums.

5. Having 5 New Sports Branches (Cabor)

Skateboarding Branch Gold Medalist (Credit: instagram.com/tokyo2020)

Not only having 28 sports branches, it turns out that this year's Tokyo Olympics introduced five new sports branches consisting of karate, surfing, skateboarding, baseball/softball, and rock climbing. Thus, the total number of sports branches competed in this year's Olympics is 33. Among the new sports branches competed, there is one Indonesian athlete who participates in it, namely Rio Waida who will compete in the Men's Shortboard category in the surfing branch.

6. The First Olympics Without Spectators

Empty Audience Seats at Tokyo National Stadium (Credit: Liputan6.com)

As reported from the official Olympics website, Tokyo City, as the center of most of the competitions, entered a state of emergency on Monday, July 12th. As a result, the Tokyo organizing committee and the Japanese government decided to cancel spectators both domestic and international. This is certainly done to reduce public concerns after the spread of the Covid-19 itself.

7. Turning Condoms into Souvenirs

Olympic Rings (Credit: instagram.com/tokyo2020)

Although this year's Olympics do not allow participants to engage in sexual activities, the Olympic organizers have still prepared 160,000 condoms for the competing athletes. This activity, which has been a tradition since 1988, is done to raise awareness about the importance of healthy sexual relationships. The organizers themselves have firmly stated that these provided condoms will only be distributed when the athletes return to their respective countries. 

This article was written by: Gloria Trivena May Ary

(kpl/mag)