Tokyo Olympics 2021: Sports, Dates and Updates

The Olympic Games is one of the biggest sporting events in the world as 206 countries will be taking part in the 32nd summer event.

Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, will be playing the part of host for the second time in history having previously been selected back in 1964, making it the first Asian city to host the games twice.

There will be plenty of firsts for this year's event, with new competitions and sports making their debut at the Olympics. Freestyle BMX, 3x3 basketball and madison cycling will appear on the schedule for the first time, with competitors going head to head to win the first-ever Olympic Gold Medal for those respective events.

Sports were also added to the program following new policies under the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which means that the host organisers can introduce their own events. This means that karate, sport climbing, surfing and skateboarding will be making their Olympic debuts. Softball is hugely popular over in the Far East and will be returning to the schedule for the first time since 2008.

So, let's not waste any time! Here is everything you need to know about the Tokyo Olympics 2021:

The Tokyo Olympic Stadium will be the main venue for this year's Olympic Games.

News concerning the Tokyo Olympics 2021 will be updated regularly to make sure you are up to date. Here is the latest news from Japan:

Latest News

UPDATE July 29th: Simone Biles has stolen the headlines this week and posted an emotional response to the ongoing support she has received following her decision to withdraw from the Olympic gymnastics all-around final.

Simone Biles of Team United States blows a kiss whilst watching the Men's All-Around Final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Ph

As far as Team GB are concerned, boxing captain Frazer Clarke reached the Olympic quarter-finals by beating Tsotne Rogava on points on Thursday afternoon.

UPDATE July 28th: American gymnast Simone Biles will not defend her individual all-around Olympic title in Tokyo tomorrow.

The ability to handle pressure has always been a trait associated with top athletes. As former basketball player Rob Horry once said: “Pressure can either burst a pipe or create a diamond.”

UPDATE July 27th: Simone Biles has been forced to pull out of the Olympics artistic gymnastics final.

Simone Biles of Team United States gets the chalk for her teammates during the Women's Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Jap

They may have been almost 6,000 miles away, but just watch how friends and family of Olympic swimmer Tom Dean go absolutely insane as he takes gold in a historic men’s 200-meter freestyle final.

UPDATE July 26th: There was an incident in the men's Triathlon and the event had to be restarted!

Elsewhere, an Australian swimmer's coach has become an internet sensation on social media for here crazy celebration following Ariarne Titmus' triumph.

UPDATE July 23rd: The Olympic Games are set to get underway and Amazon's Alexa is ready to answer all of your questions and queries on the event itself.

UPDATE July 20th: Have a look at the history of the Olympic Games and which nation has picked up the most medals since 1896.

WATCH: Summer Olympics Medal by Country (1896-2016)

UPDATE July 19th: Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been praised after asking members of the media to provide gender-balanced coverage of the Games.

Also, the US gymnast Kara Eaker has suffered a significant setback with just days to go until the Games get underway.

Kara Eaker performing at the 49th FIA Artistic Gymnastic Championships.

UPDATE July 18th: Irish artistic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan took time out from his balance beam and pommel horse to do a very different kind of Olympic warm-up with some energetic bed bouncing and mattress manoeuvres.

UPDATE July 17th: Tokyo officials have introduced a radical way to counteract the concerns regarding the possible spread of COVID-19 among athletes.

Anti-sex beds have been introduced by Tokyo officials for the Olympic Games.

UPDATE July 16th: Unfortunately, the competitive edge that comes with the world’s most popular sporting event also results in athletes sustaining quite painful injuries that, like a memorable triumph, live long in the memories of both fans and athletes.

Also, wondering where you can watch all of your favourite Team GB athletics during the Games? Well, wonder no more!

Taekwondo star Jade Jones is the reigning Olympic champion after striking gold at Rio 2016.

UPDATE July 15th: How much do you know about the Games? Can you remember how many medals Great Britain won in Rio de Janeiro? Do you know which year women’s football was first introduced as an Olympic sport? And where were the Olympics held back in 2004?

UPDATE July 14th: This week on Jake Humphrey's High Performance Podcast, one of the greatest Olympians of all time Ian Thorpe was the special guest for an Olympics special episode ahead of the Games getting underway in Tokyo next week.

Michael Phelps taking part in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.

UPDATE July 13th: Simone Biles hadn’t competed in competitive gymnastics for almost 18 months before this year but she is now ready to make history in Tokyo this summer.

Dates

It's going to be action-packed from the word go in Japan! The Olympic Games will take place between Wednesday, July 21st until Sunday, August 8th 2021.

The opening ceremony will happen on Friday, July 23rd.