On July 23, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics finally raised their curtains. The common concept of this year’s ceremonies was “Moving Forward,” which delivered a message of support to the world fighting against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). According to the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the opening ceremony particularly emphasized the phrase, “united by emotions.” This shows the belief that sports can unite the world through emotions even when people are physically and socially exhausted by the pandemic situation.

Having been postponed for a year due to the COVID-19, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was held from July 23 to August 8, followed by the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics held from August 24 to September 5. For the Olympics, the United States (U.S.) ranked first place overall and Korea ranked 16th with six gold, four silver, and 10 bronze medals. At the Paralympics, Korea ranked 41st with two gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze medals.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to push ahead with the Olympics, considering the devastating financial effects of canceling it, including the sunk cost — money, time, energy, and effort spent in preparation of the game. Above all however, the IOC appreciated the endeavors of athletes, stating that withdrawing the international sports competition would result in the discouragement of the prepared entrants. As a countermeasure against the risks of COVID-19, the IOC implemented zero-spectator games for the first time in history.

Key Features of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Despite the pandemic situation, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics successfully ended with some noticeable transitions from past international sports events. First, the public actively used media to communicate with the athletes, ultimately showing greater attention to the Olympics than before. For example, video clips on TikTok, China’s short video sharing platform, featured athletes introducing how to wear a sports equipment, how they practice before entering events, and their everyday lives at the athlete’s village. Likewise, as media uncovered scenes behind the Olympics, as well as introducing personal stories of the athletes, people shifted their attention to the entrants’ distinct characteristics and their progress. Deviating from the strong obsession for medals, the public sent great support to all participants regardless of their rankings.

Besides the impact of COVID-19, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics showed meaningful transitions in game types as well as gender equality. To begin with, the IOC included new sports events such as karate, skateboarding, surfing, and sports climbing. With the registration of leisure sports and extreme sports, the IOC expanded the concept of sports to sports to all, breaking free from the existing regulations and narrow perception of complete, formal sports. Moreover, Tokyo 2020 increased the proportion of mixed-gender events, such as the 4ⅹ400 mixed relay and archery mixed team events. With the IOC’s increasing emphasis on gender equality in sports, mixed gender games are expected to increase in future Olympics.

The performance of athletes was also a noticeable point at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This year, various entrants with different ages participated in the competition. The young generation showed outstanding performances and potential in multiple events, namely archery and table tennis. In the archery games, Korean teen archer Kim Je-deok (18) won two gold medals in the mixed team and men’s team events. For table tennis, Shin Yubin (18) showed great performance and composure during the match with Xia Lian Ni (58), Luxembourg’s national table tennis player. Their game grabbed worldwide attention as the two players overcame 40 years of age difference by showing respect to each other and participating in the game with remarkable passion and sportsmanship.

The Significance of Paralympics

Paralympics is an international sports competition involving athletes with physical and sensory disabilities. Its events are subdivided based on the entrant’s disability grade to promote fair competition. For the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, 159 Korean athletes participated in a total of 14 events. Including this year’s record, Korea achieved nine consecutive wins in Boccia, a game in which an athlete rolls or throws the ball to hit or approach the target. As the game only exists in the Paralympics, it has long been considered a meaningful match to watch.

Likewise, Paralympics is more than just a sports competition, as it is highly valued for its meaning and purpose. According to Professor Kim Chun-Jong (Special Physical Education, Yeungnam University), Paralympics demonstrates world peace and social integration, as the event’s preparation and operation process require integrated efforts of the disabled and non-disabled. “It is a sports event where you can gain courage and energy, as well as increase the value of your existence by overcoming difficulties and discrimination.” Although the existing prejudices may not change swiftly, Professor Kim believes it is necessary to promote more sports events for the disabled, since sports is an essential part of life that anyone can enjoy and participate in.

For aiding competition, numbers of scientific training methods and facilities that increase athletic performance have developed and are constantly developing. Currently, sports events at the Paralympics demonstrate active utilization of functional wheelchairs and running blades, a combination of biotechnology and new materials. “Sports is like an organism that responds to its external environment. In the distant future, advancements in wearable robots will largely affect sports, both for the disabled and the non-disabled. If wearable robots help athletes overcome disability, I believe sports events will also develop according to such changes.” Professor Kim adds on to his words, underscoring the importance of maintaining a fair competition and debates on the permissible range of technology application as wearable robots become even more commercialized.

Moreover, Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is expected to extend the current promotion of sports participation for the disabled. Based on the “plan to revitalize sports for the disabled" for creating the heritage of the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympics, South Korea is currently operating the Bandabi Sports Center Construction Project. Professor Kim remarks, “This project will support the construction of 150 new sports centers by 2025. Once it is completed, I believe the participation of the disabled in sports and sports for all will be revitalized.”

All in all, perhaps all athletes entered the Olympics and Paralympics with veni, vidi, vici engraved on their hearts. With that, a firm will to win the game would have grown through endless practices, investment of time, and effort in developing one’s performance. Challenging their limits without giving up in the face of hardships, athletes of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics are recognized as the true heroes of 2021.