Today’s opening ceremony serves as the symbolic start to the Tokyo Olympics, but you’ll understand if it doesn’t quite feel like a celebration. Amid fears that the Games could become a Covid-19 superspreader event, with Tokyo reporting its highest daily count of new cases in six months, a number of athletes have tested positive. The entire Guinea delegation withdrew—and then changed its mind. (If you’re wondering, no, athletes were not required to be vaccinated to participate in the Games. And no, competitors are not being forced to sleep on anti-sex beds.)
The growing case numbers prompted an organizer to suggest that the event could be canceled at the last minute—but at least for now, the $28 billion Olympics remain on. Here’s what you need to know as an expected 11,000 athletes take the field (or court, or track, or pool) in Japan.
The Games
The postponement of these Olympics from 2020 was tough on athletes, upending their livelihoods and forcing them to try to stay in peak condition even as they couldn’t leave their homes. (Rower Grace Luczak described the difficult transition to a 16-month training cycle, from the usual four months.) Still, things could’ve been worse: Mere months ago, the Games seemed very likely to be canceled, threatening the push to close the gender gap in new Olympic sports like skateboarding and surfing. And the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee handled the challenge better than many of its counterparts overseas while leading a charge for gender equity.
NBCUniversal is televising the Olympics for the 16th time, with plans for an unprecedented 7,000 hours of coverage across two broadcast networks, six cable networks and a number of digital platforms, including Twitter. Telemundo Deportes and Universo will air more than 300 hours of coverage—the most Spanish-language Olympic coverage in U.S. history. (Here’s your viewing guide to the must-see events.)
With fans barred from attending, venues in Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures are set to miss out on perhaps $819 million in ticketing revenue. One other result of the pandemic: Soccer rosters are being expanded. (Speaking of soccer, while South American teams have dominated the men’s tournament for the last two decades, Japan has an advantage this time around. And with a number of European-based players suiting up, including 13 from the Premier League, the tournament could have a major impact on the club season.)
In addition to the on-field action, the Games are an extravaganza for brands and advertisers. A non-tourist municipality in Illinois is sponsoring three U.S. teams, Nike is launching a new suite of elite running products, and Kim Kardashian West is providing the official undergarments for the American women. Chinese sports marketers will be playing close attention with the Winter Olympics scheduled for next year in Beijing.
Athletes have pushed the International Olympic Committee to abolish a longstanding ban on political demonstrations during the Games; instead, the IOC is doubling down. The controversy has already begun, with hammer thrower Gwen Berry’s protest at the U.S. trials prompting calls on Facebook for her to be disqualified.
Nine U.S. equestrian athletes are set to compete, but they are just one small part of a delegation of at least 64 people and 16 horses. Transporting that group halfway around the world is no easy feat.
One other cloud hanging over the opening ceremony: The director was dismissed after an old clip of him making jokes about the Holocaust emerged.
The Stars
Most of the athletes competing in Tokyo are strapped for cash, but a few of sports’ top earners will appear as well; here are this year’s highest-paid Olympians.
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open and skipped Wimbledon but still has big Olympic dreams. She’s also become an inspiration to other athletes like Lindsey Vonn for speaking out on mental health issues. Simone Biles is another athlete using her platform to speak up for what she believes in.
Allyson Felix qualified for her fifth Olympics with a new training regimen and a new perspective on running. She also has a new initiative to help cover child-care costs for professional-athlete mothers when they travel to competitions. USWNT soccer star Alex Morgan, too, wants to empower women in sports, with a new media company. Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and Emily Sonnett are among Morgan’s teammates attracting the attention of sponsors, and Megan Rapinoe is spreading the cannabis gospel now that CBD is off WADA’s list of prohibited substances. But they’re not off to the start they expected: Sweden handed the Americans a humbling loss in their Olympic opener. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Miraildes Maciel Mota, known around the world as Formiga, is competing in her seventh Olympics—out of the seven women’s soccer tournaments in the history of the Games.
Katie Ledecky, a swimming legend at age 24, shares how she gets into world-record condition: “failing spectacularly.” Her teammate Simone Manuel is eyeing another gold medal.
A’ja Wilson is leading the U.S. basketball team to Tokyo alongside her college coach, Dawn Staley—“a badass,” she says. On the men’s side, Luka Doncic is making his Olympic debut.
Jessica Long, a 23-time medalist in Paralympic swimming, is diving into her fifth Games. Melissa Stockwell, an Army veteran and triathlete, says she’s faster than she’s ever been at age 41.
The Newcomers
Skateboarding is making its Olympic debut, which has raised some eyebrows. Mariah Duran and Heimana Reynolds, however, are ready to show that skateboarders are “real athletes.” Bryce Wettstein, who obliterates the stereotypes about the sport, could be a breakout personality, and 17-year-old Brighton Zeuner is thinking about heading to school after the Games—fashion school. Nyjah Huston is already a skateboarding megastar but now has his own board brand.
Hannah Roberts, the first American to qualify for Tokyo in BMX freestyle, and Nikita Ducarroz are ready to introduce the world to another new Olympic sport. Cat Osterman is reintroducing softball after a 12-year hiatus from the Olympic program.
The Belgian women’s basketball team is making its first Olympic appearance, making waves in a nation of 11.5 million where soccer, cycling and field hockey dominate the sports headlines.
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July 23, 2021 at 05:30PM
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Tokyo Olympics Preview: What You Need To Know As The Summer Games Belatedly Begin - Forbes
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