The 2020 Summer Olympics, officially known as the "Games of the XXXII Olympiad", was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan, from 23 July to 8 August 2021. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, it was postponed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was held largely behind closed doors with no spectators permitted under the state of emergency.[a] Despite being rescheduled for 2021, the event retains the Tokyo 2020 name for marketing and branding purposes.[1]
The 2020 Summer Paralympics followed two weeks later between 25 August and 5 September 2021.
The transformation of Tokyo in preparation for the Olympics can be seen as part of a long process of urban planning and development that encompasses several major cycles. Urban studies scholar Faure notes that "The urban development strategy of the Tokyo Olympic urban project is the result of a long-time political compromise regarding Tokyo Bay between the ruling party, the TMG, and the central government." Examining the complex relationship between local ward development plans and metropolis-wide strategies pursued by the TMG (Tokyo Metropolitan Government), Faure notes that "the urban legacy of Tokyo 2020 is composed of a series of decisions beginning from the submission of the bid to the post-Olympic period, and extending over 9 years if we consider only the preparatory period until the legacy works (2013–2022), and over 30 years if we look at the origin of the selected Olympic sites and the previous bids for the 2016 Games and the 1994 Universal Expo."[2]
In February 2012, it was announced that former Tokyo's National Stadium, the central venue for the 1964 Summer Olympics, would undergo a ¥100 billion renovation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics.[3] In November 2012, the Japan Sport Council announced it was taking bids for proposed stadium designs. Of the 46 finalists, Zaha Hadid Architects was awarded the project, which would replace the old stadium with a new 80,000-seat stadium. There was criticism of the Zaha Hadid design—which was compared to a bicycle helmet and regarded as clashing with the surrounding Meiji Shrine—and widespread disapproval of the costs, even with attempts to revise and "optimize" the design.[4]
In June 2015, the government announced it was planning to reduce the new stadium's permanent capacity to 65,000 in its athletics configuration (although with the option to add up to 15,000 temporary seats for football) as a further cost-saving measure.[5][6] The original plans to build a retractable roof were also scrapped.[7] As a result of public opposition to the increasing costs of the stadium, which reached ¥252 billion, the government ultimately chose to reject Zaha Hadid's design entirely and selected a new design by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Inspired by traditional temples and with a lower profile, Kuma's design had a budget of ¥149 billion. Changes in plans prevented the new stadium from being completed in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as originally intended.[8] National Stadium was inaugurated on 21 December 2019 and is named Olympic Stadium during 2020 Olympic Games.[9]
Of the 33 competition venues in Tokyo, 28 are within 8 kilometers (5 miles) of the Olympic Village, with eleven new venues which were constructed.[10] On 16 October 2019, the IOC announced that there were plans to re-locate the marathon and racewalking events to Sapporo for heat concerns.[11] The plans were made official on 1 November 2019 after Tokyo GovernorYuriko Koike accepted the IOC's decision, despite her belief that the events should have remained in Tokyo.[12]
Heritage Zone
Six venues for eight sports are located within the central business area of Tokyo, northwest of the Olympic Village. Three of these venues were originally constructed for the 1964 Summer Olympics.
There are 13 venues planned for 15 sports located in the vicinity of Tokyo Bay, southeast of the Olympic Village, predominantly on Ariake, Odaiba and the surrounding artificial islands. The flame cauldron will be installed at Tokyo Waterfront City on Ariake West Canal.
^Overseas spectators were first banned in March 2021, then followed by residents of Japan in July of that year to avoid any risk of a superspreading event.
^"Oi Hockey Stadium". 2020games.metro.tokyo.lg.jp. Bureau of Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Preparation. 2015. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
^Originally to be held at Water Polo Arena in Koto, Tokyo; venue moved in June 2015. "東京五輪、26競技の会場決定 自転車・サッカー除き". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
^Badminton originally to be held at Youth Plaza Arena; venue moved in June 2015. "東京五輪、26競技の会場決定 自転車・サッカー除き". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
^Rugby sevens originally to be held at National Olympic Stadium; venue moved in June 2015. "東京五輪、26競技の会場決定 自転車・サッカー除き". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
^Originally to be held at Wakasu Olympic Marina; venue moved in June 2015. "東京五輪、26競技の会場決定 自転車・サッカー除き". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
_2020.jpg)
