The Tokyo Olympics 2020, originally scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020, has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic .
Earlier instances: This is the first such delay in the Olympics Games’ 124-year modern history. The Games have never before been postponed in this way, but they were cancelled in 1916, 1940 – also a planned Tokyo Games – and 1944, during the first and second world wars.
Economic cost: Though a huge blow to Japan, which invested $12 billion in the run-up, the decision was a relief to thousands of athletes fretting over how to train.
Name will not be changed: The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will continue to be called the “Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020” even when they are held in 2020, and the Olympic flame will stay in Japan “as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times”.
Mascot: The Tokyo 2020 Olympic mascot is Miraitowa (pronounced mee-rah-e-toh-wa). According to the organizer committee, the mascot is based on the Japanese words mirai (future) and towa (eternity) combined. Miraitowa was chosen to promote a future full of eternal hope in the hearts of people all over the world.
