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Olympic Summer Games Tokyo 2020
The XXXII Olympic Summer Games were held from 23rd July to 08th August, 2021. Originally scheduled for 2020 this major sports event had to be postponed as did many others due to the coronavirus pandemic which started to spread around the globe since late 2019.
For the second time the Summer Games were held in Tokyo, Japan, and more than 10,000 athletes were competing in various disciplines.
An experienced team of visual journalists was on the spot to extensively document all sporting disciplines, award ceremonies, fans, and teams, as well as the atmosphere in Japan’s metropolis.
epa excels in capturing these unforgettable, often triumphant Olympic moments which help to share the excitement, anticipation and atmosphere of the Games, even more vital this year, due to the lack of spectators from around the world. epa’s images have adorned many a front page around the globe and help to brings fans together, whilst documenting yet another major tournament in history.
Follow the links for direct access to our complete coverage, images of the Opening Ceremony, IOC events, features or for these individual disciplines:

Jingyuan Zou of China competes in the Men's Parallel Bars Final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

Daiki Hashimoto (R) of Japan celebrates with teammate Takeru Kitazono after winning the Men's All-Around Final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/HOW HWEE YOUNG

An artist performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/JOE GIDDENS NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz of the Netherlands prepare to compete in the Women's 49er FX Class discipline in the Sailing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Enoshima, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CJ GUNTHER

Alanna Kennedy (back) of Australia in action against Swedish players Hanna Glas (L) and Sofia Jakobsson (R) during the women's semi final soccer match between Australia and Sweden at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Yokohama, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Toshiyuki Tanaka of Japan riding Talma D'allou competes in the Eventing Cross Country Team and Individual event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Cross Country Course in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/KIYOSHI OTA

Michelle Heimberg of Switzerland competes in the Women's 3m Springboard Diving Preliminary during the Diving events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/PATRICK B. KRAEMER

Malaika Mihambo of Germany reacts after her winning jump in the Women’s Long Jump Finals during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

Collin Morikawa of USA hits out of a bunker on the 18th green in a Bronze Medal playoff round against C T Pan of Chinese Taipei
during the Men's Individual Stroke Play Round 4 at the Golf events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Tadeusz Michalik (in blue) of Poland and Tracy Hancock (in red) of the USA in action during the Men's Greco-Roman 97kg Wrestling events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/LESZEK SZYMANSKI POLAND OUT

Sophie McKinna of Great Britain competes in the Women's Shot Put Qualification Group B during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN BRUNA

Kanoa Igarashi from Japan in action during Women's Round 1 of the Surfing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach in Ichinomiya, Japan, 25 July 2021. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA

Wen-Huei Chen of Taipei competes in the Women's 64kg Group A Snatch competition during the Weightlifting events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Rebeca Andrade of Brazil competes in the Women's Vault Final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

A demonstrator protests against Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan, 23 June 2021, one month before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Summer Games was rescheduled from 2020 due to COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Grace Mc Callum of the USA in action during the Artistic Gymnastics Women Final of Uneven bars of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnas?tics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

Chris von Martels of Canada riding Eclips performs in the Dressage Team competition during the Equestrian events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Baji Koen Equestrian Park in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, 24 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN BRUNA

Italian players Asarah Fahr (L) and Miryam Sylla (R) in action during the women's preliminary round pool B match between Italy and Turkey at the Volleyball events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/MAST IRHAM

Soichiro Mukai (in blue) of Japan and Krisztian Toth of Hungary fight in the round of 16 of THE men's judo -90kg category of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in THE Nippon Budokan Arena, in Tokyo, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Zsolt Czegledi HUNGARY OUT

General view of an Athletics test event entitled 'READY STEADY TOKYO-Athletics' at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 09 May 2021. The event was held without spectators amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The National Stadium is the chosen venue for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Elke Vanhoof of Beligium, Merel Smulders of Nedherlands, Chutikan Kitwanitsathian of Thailand, Simone Christensen of Denmark, Payton Ridenour of USA and Mariana Pajon of Colombia compete in the Cycling Bmx Racing Women quarterfinals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Aomi Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Jorgic Darko of Slovenia in action against
Lin Yun Ju of Chinese Taipei (not pictrued) during the Table Tennis Men's Singles Quarterfinal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium arena in Tokyo, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/HEDAYATULLAH AMID

Andrew Capobianco and Mike Hixon of the US perform in the Men's 3m Synchro Springboard Diving Final during the Diving events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Patrick B. Kraemer

Ana Satila of Brazil in action during the Women's Canoe Slalom Semifinal at the Canoeing Slalom events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasai Rinkai Park in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/WU HONG

Caeleb Dressel of the United States of America (USA) on his way winning in the men's 100m Freestyle Final during the Swimming events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Patrick B. Kraemer

Bryony Pitman of Britain in action during the Women's Team 1/8 Elimination Round between Great Britain and Italy during the Archery events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yumenoshima Park in Tokyo, Japan, 25 July 2021. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

Etene Nanai-Seturo of New Zealand in action during the Rugby Sevens Men's semi-final match between New Zealand and Great Britain at the Rugby Sevens events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Stadium in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/JEON HEON-KYUN

Kotaro Mizumachi of Japan (C) in action against Mohamed Ahmed of Bahrain (R) during the Men's Handball preliminary round match between Bahrain and Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium arena in Tokyo, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/WU HONG

Japanese supporters cheer during the Men's Team semi final between Korea and Japan at the Archery events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yumenoshima Park in Tokyo, Japan, 26 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Natasa Rybanska (R) of Hungary and Madeline Musselman (C) of the US fight for the ball as goalie Ashleigh Johnson (R) of the US looks on during the Women's water polo second round match between Hungary and the USA of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Tamas Kovacs HUNGARY OUT

Sera Azuma (center L) of Japan in action against Kiefer Lee (center R) of USA as Nora Mohamed (L) of Egypt faces Larisa Korobeynikova (R) of Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the Women's Foil team quarterfinals, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre, in Chiba, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

A member of the Mongolian team's coaching staff sports an Olympic themed haircut during the Shooting events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/JEON HEON-KYUN

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka lights the flame of hope in the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Rafig Huseynov of Azerbaijan (R) in action against Karapet Chalyan of Armenia (L) in the Men's Greco-Roman 77kg bronze medal match of the Wrestling events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Tingmao Shi and Han Wang of China in action during the Diving Women's Synchronised 3m Springboard Final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at? the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 25 July 2021. EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Lin Cenholt and Christian Lubeck of Denmark in action during the Nacra 17 Mixed Class discipline in the Sailing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Enoshima, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/CJ GUNTHER

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach gestures during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, 17 July 2021. Earlier in the day, the Tokyo Olympics organisers confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the Olympic Village less than a week before the opening of the Games. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Riders compete at the Cycling Bmx Racing Men's semifinal during the Cycling BMX Racing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan, XX July 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

A general view during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/LAURENT GILLIERON

Team Germany adjust their face masks during the medal celermony after wining the gold in the Dressage Team competition during the Equestrian events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Baji Koen Equestrian Park in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN BRUNA

People wearing face masks stand before trees cut in the shape of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics mascots in Tokyo, Japan, 22 July 2021. Just a day before the opening ceremony, officials announced 1,979 new COVID-19 cases in the Japanese capital, the highest figure since January. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Lu Yifei of China sprays the bars before competing on the Uneven Bars during the Women's Qualification of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Artistic Gymnastics events at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 25 July 2021. EPA-EFE/HOW HWEE YOUNG

Kei Nishikori of Japan in action against Marcos Giron of the USA during their men's singles second round match of the Tennis events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo,

A pedestrian walks past the decoration for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games decorated in Tokyo, Japan, 22 June 2021. Tokyo and Japan will mark one month before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on 23 June 2021. The Summer Games was rescheduled from 2020 due to COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Alexander Zverev (L) of Germany congratulates Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia after the Men's Singles Semifinal Tennis events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Greysia Polii (R) and Ariyani Rahayu of Indonesia celebrate after winning their women's doubles quarterfinal match against Du Yue and Li Yin Hui of China during the Badminton events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/MAST IRHAM

Picture taken from the Shibuya Sky observation deck shows fireworks going off at the end of the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHER JUE

Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey of Great Britain prepare to compete in the Women's 49er FX Class discipline in the Sailing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Enoshima, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CJ GUNTHER

Gold medalists Valentina Rodini and Federica Cesarini (R) of Italy are applauded by Claire Bove of France during the medal ceremony for the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls final during the Rowing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Drones form a globe in the sky over the National Stadium in Tokyo during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

Italo Ferrera of Brazil in action during the Men's Surfing competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olymp?ic Games at the Tsurigas?aki Surfing Beach in Ichinomiyai, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA

A detail shot shows the ball along Kate Elisabeth Jenner of Australia during the Field Hockey Women's quarter-final match between Australia and India of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Asier Martinez (R) and Ronald Levy of Jamaica compete in the Men's 110m Hurdles semifinal during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Tokyo Olympic Games Committee President Yoshiro Mori (C) and Committee CEO Toshiro Muto (R) arrive at a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, 23 March 2020. Yoshiro Mori reacted after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it is considering the possibility of postponement for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics amid the coronavirus pandemic. Yoshiro Mori said the committee will decide in the coming days whether the torch relay shall start as scheduled on 26 March and hinted that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wouldn’t attend to the torch relay ceremony in Fukushima Prefecture. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

US Gymnast Simone Biles watches from the stands at the start of the Women's All-Around final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/HOW HWEE YOUNG

Melanie De Jesus dos Santos of France performs on the Balance Beam in the the Women's All-Around final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland reacts after missing a point against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles tennis semifinal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/LAURENT GILLIERON

Gold medallist Logan Martin of Australia competes during the Cycling BMX Freestyle Men's Park Final events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Samuel Takyi of Ghana (L) in action against Ceiber David Avila Segura of Colombia (R) during the Men's Feather (52-57kg) match of the Boxing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Bongil Gu of Republic of Korea reacts after scoring against Enrico Berre of Italy during their Men's Sabre team gold medal match, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the ?Makuhari Messe convention centre, in Chiba, Japan, 28 July 2021. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

People attend a rally against the Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, 16 July 2021. People participated to the rally just a week before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Lee Kiefer of the USA (L) and Inna Deriglazova of Russia (R) in action during the women's Foil Individual Gold Medal Bout of the Fencing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba, Japan, 25 July 2021. EPA-EFE/KIYOSHI OTA

Austin O'Connor of Ireland riding Colorado Blue competes in the Eventing Cross Country Team and Individual event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Cross Country Course in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/KIYOSHI OTA

Soo Wai Yam Minnie of Hong Kong in action during the Table Tennis Women's team bronze medal match against Han Ying of Germany at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium arena in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/MAST IRHAM

Valerie Adams of New Zealand celebrates after an attempt in the Women's Shot Put Final during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Svetlana Kolesnichenko and Svetlana Romashina of Russia perform in the Women's Duet Free Artistic Swimming Preliminary during the Artistic Swimming events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 2 August 2021. EPA-EFE/Patrick B. Kraemer

Alex Szoke (in blue) of Hungary celebrates his victory over Giorgi Melia (in red) of Georgia during the Men's Greco-Roman 97kg Repechage Wrestling events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/Tibor Illyes HUNGARY OUT

Gold medalist Yang Liu of China performs in the Men's Ring Final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

Gold Medalist Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela poses with her new World Record after the Women's triple jump final during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN BRUNA

Katrin Klujber (R) of Hungary is challenged by Anna Lagerquist of Seden for the ball during the women's handball preliminary round Group B match between Hungary and Sweden at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/TIBOR ILLYES HUNGARY OUT

A multiple exposure photograph shows Madaline Davidson of New Zealand competing in the Women's Trampoline Gymnastics Qualification at theTokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

Julia Hassler of Liechtenstein competes in the women's 800m Freestyle Heats during the Swimming events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Patrick B. Kraemer

Japanese Olympic judo champion Tadahiro Nomura (R) and Olympic women's wrestling champion Saori Yoshida (L) carry the Olympic torch during the Olympic flame arrival Ceremony at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Matsushima Air Base in Higashimatsushima, northern Japan, 20 March 2020. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Flame Arrival Ceremony was scaled down over fears of coronavirus. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is still considering holding the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled despite the current coronavirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Simone Biles of the USA competes in the Women's Balance Beam Final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/HOW HWEE YOUNG

Shin Yubin (R) and Jeon Jihee of South Korea in action against Xiaona Shan and Petrissa Solja of Germany during the Women's Team quarterfinal table tennis match at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium arena in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/MAST IRHAM

Karsten Warholm of Norway celebrates after winning the Men's 400m Hurdles final at the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Hongchan Quan of China poses with her Gold medal after winning in the Women's 10m Platform Diving Final during the Diving events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/PATRICK B. KRAEMER

Moeko Nagaoka (C) of Japan in action during the Women's Basketball quarter final match between Japan and Belgium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/WU HONG

Lu Yufei of China performs in the Women's Uneven Bars final during the Artistic Gymnastics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

Kiyou Shimizu of Japan competes in the elimination round of the women's Kata during the Karate events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/HEDAYATULLAH AMID

Patty Mills (L) of Australia in action against Khris Middleton (2-L) of USA during the Men's Basketball semi final match between USA and Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/KIYOSHI OTA

Colin Duffy of USA and Nathaniel Coleman of USA compete during the Men's Speed Final in the Sport Climbing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Aomi Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/Dimitris Tosidis

Sky Brown of Britain celebrates after her run during the Skateboarding Women's Park Final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Kevin Mayer of France rests in the shadow during the Discus Throw competition of the Decathlon during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021.

Andrea Drews (C) of USA in action against Italy players during the Women's Volleyball preliminary round match between USA and Italy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Katy Marchant (R) of Great Britain and Laurine Van Riessen (L) of the Netherlands crash during the Women's sprint quarterfinals race at the Track Cycling events of the Tokyo 2020Olympic Games at the Izu Velodrome in Ono, Shizuoka, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHER JUE

Olympic flame sits on display after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially decided to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, 25 March 2020. The Olympic Games was originally scheduled to open on 24 July 2020 but has been postpone due to the risk posed by the coronavirus outbreak. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

The flags of Japan, Greece and France are flying during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 08 August 2021. Paris will host the 2024 Olympic Games. EPA-EFE/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Megan Tapper of Jamaica celebrates winning bronze in the Women's 100m Hurdles final at the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

A general view of the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Kathleen Ledecky of the US competes in the women's 200m Freestyle Semifinal during the Swimming events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Patrick B. Kraemer

A lone spectator watches the Softball Gold Medal Game between Japan and the USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 27 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Josef Dostal (R) and Radek Slouf of the Czech Republic celebrate after placing third in the Men's Kayak Double 1000m Final during the Canoeing Sprint events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA

Staff members wear protective gear during an Athletics test event entitled 'READY STEADY TOKYO-Athletics' at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 09 May 2021. The event was held without spectators amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The National Stadium is the chosen venue for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Timur Safin (L) of Russia in action against Enzo Lefort (R) of France in the Fencing Men's Foil Team Golden medal match between France and Russia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba, Japan, 01 August 2021. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA

Demonstrators protest against the Tokyo 2020 Olympics outside the venue of the unveiling ceremony for the Olympic Flame of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay at the Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground in Tokyo, Japan, 09 July 2021. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay finally arrived in Tokyo on 09 July, two weeks before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which was delayed for one year due to the COVID-19 and Coronavirus pandemic. A five-party meeting decided on 08 July 2021 Tokyo venues for the Summer Games will be held without spectators. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Officials set up a counter to take samples from reporters for COVID-19 tests at the main press center of the Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. 15 July 2021. The pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympic Games are schedule to open on July 23 with spectators banned from most Olympic events due to COVID-19 surge. EPA-EFE/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

Kai Kazmirek of Germany competes in the Pole Vault of the Decathlon during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

The flag of Japan is raised during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/LAURENT GILLIERON

Members of Russian National Olympic team attend a service at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, 30 June 2021. The Summer Olympic Games, rescheduled from 2020 to 2021 due the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, are set to start on 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/YURI KOCHETKOV

A pedestrian walks past the New National Stadium, or the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and Athletics event, in Tokyo, Japan, 17 June 2021, after the Japanese government decided to lift the COVID-19 state of emergency as scheduled to end on 20 June 2021, in nine prefectures including Tokyo. The government also decided to keep restrictions to avoid a rebound of infections before the Tokyo Olympic Games. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Damian Warner of Canada competes in the Long Jump of the Decathlon during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, 17 July 2021. Earlier in the day, the Tokyo Olympics organisers confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the Olympic Village less than a week before the opening of the Games. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

A general view of the Kokugikan Arena during the Men's Feather (52-57kg) Final Bout between Duke Ragan of USA (red) and Albert Batyrgaziev (blue) of Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the Boxing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan, 05 August 2021. EPA-EFE/HOW HWEE YOUNG

Pavel Sukhov of Russia (L) in action against Enrico Garozzo of Italy (R) during the Fencing Men's Epee Team Quarterfinal match of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA

Peruth Chemutai of Uganda celebrates winning the Women's 3000m Steeplechase final during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Edis Matusevicius of Lithuania in action during the Men’s Javelin Throw qualification round during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

Giant Olympic rings monument illuminated before the Rainbow bridge in Tokyo, Japan, 16 July 2020. (issued 21 July 2020) Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics should have begun on 24 July 2020 but were postponed for one year. This is the first time that the Summer Olympic Games have been postponed rather than canceled. They are now due to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021. As the pandemic is still spreading around the globe, uncertainty remains whether the Games can be held or not. Professional sports competitions like soccer and baseball have resumed without supporters' attendance to avoid transmission of the coronavirus but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach confirmed the Olympic Games will not happen behind closed doors. In June, Tokyo 2020 organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said that Tokyo would present a ‘simplified’ Olympics and search for possible ways to reduce costs. The announcement came after Tokyo 2020 organizing committee President Yoshiro Mori declared that the Tokyo 2020 wouldn’t be reported further and shall be canceled if they cannot be held in 2021. The latest polls show that less than a quarter of the population is approving the idea of holding next summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as scheduled, more than 70 percent are in favor of another postponement, or even the cancellation of the event. Even if the Japanese capital has an official low number of COVID-19 cases, the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors from abroad is worrying about the population. The COVID-19 crisis threw the Japanese organizers and officials into an abyss where financial, political, and sports issues are mixed. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Filippo Ganna of Team Italy lift his bicycle up as he celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's Team Pursuit Gold Medal final during the Track Cycling events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Izu Velodrome in Ono, Shizuoka, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHER JUE

Pedestrians walk past a huge display showing news report about the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee sacking of Tokyo Olympic Opening Ceremony director Kentaro Kobayashi, in Tokyo, Japan, 22 July 2021. Just a day before the opening ceremony is due to be held, the organizing committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games decided to sack Kentaro Kobayashi, director of the opening and closing ceremonies, after footage from the late 1990s recently emerged of a skit in which he appears making jokes about the Holocaust. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

A security guard is seen through an Olympic Rings monument near the National Stadium, the main stadium of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, 22 June 2021. Tokyo will mark one month before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on 23 June 2021. The Summer Games were postponed due to COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Eilidh McIntyre (R) and Hannah Mills (L) of Great Britain celebrate winning gold in the Women's Two Person Dinghy - 470 medal race during the Sailing events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Enoshima, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET

General view of the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Tokyo, Japan, 13 July 2021. The pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics are schedule to open on July 23 with spectators banned from most Olympic events due to COVID-19 surge. EPA-EFE/Tamas Kovacs HUNGARY OUT

Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, 17 July 2021. The Tokyo Olympics organisers confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the Olympic Village less than a week before the opening of the Games. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Police officers gather at a closed access to the Olympic Village (seen in the background) in Tokyo, Japan, 17 July 2021. The Tokyo Olympics organisers confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the Tokyo athletes' village less than a week before the opening of the Games. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike presents the Olympic Flame in a lantern during the unveiling ceremony for the Olympic Flame of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay at the Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground in Tokyo, Japan, 09 July 2021. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay finally arrived in Tokyo on 09 July, two weeks before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which was delayed for one year due to the COVID-19 and Coronavirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Olympic rings with the Japanese national flag at the Japan Olympic Museum in Tokyo, Japan, 29 June 2020. (reissued 20 October 2020). The British government announced on 19 October that a Russian military intelligence agency had launched cyberattacks on the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics targeting logistics services and sponsor companies. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Norway’s Harald Reinkind (L) in action during the Men's Quarterfinal match between Denmark and Norway of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2021. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

General view of the main press center for the Tokyo Olympic Games at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center in Tokyo, Japan, 02 July 2021. The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee is considering to hold the games without spectators depending on the COVID-19 situation. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Pandelela Pamg of Malaysia performs in the Women's 10m Platform Diving Preliminary during the Diving events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan, 04 August 2021. EPA-EFE/PATRICK B. KRAEMER

Dutch hockey team players depart from Schiphol Airport to Tokyo, in Haarlemmermeer, the Netherlands, 11 July 2021. The Netherlands' national women's field hockey team will play their first game at the Olympics against India. EPA-EFE/ROBIN UTRECHT

Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Ja?pan, 08 August 2021. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

View of the National Stadium, the main stadium of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, 23 June 2021, one month before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The National Stadium will host the opening, closing ceremonies and the athletics events. The Summer Games were postponed due to COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Runners compete in the men's 3000m Steeplechase Heats during the Athletics events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 30 July 2021. EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN BRUNA

A couple takes pictures with the Olympic Rings near the National Stadium, the main stadium of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, 15 July 2021. The pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics are schedule to open on July 23 with spectators banned from most Olympic events due to COVID-19 surge. EPA-EFE/Tamas Kovacs HUNGARY OUT

The commemorating plate is seen during a press preview at the Olympic and Paralympic Village for the Tokyo 2020 Games, constructed in the Harumi waterfront district of Tokyo, Japan, 20 June 2021. Athletes and officials at the Olympics will be subject to a range of penalties should they break virus protocols during the Summer Games. The COVID-19 infectious disease experts in Japan listed proposals on 18 June 2021 to prevent spreads of the disease in preparation for the Olympic Games. The Summer Olympic Games is scheduled to open on 23 July through 08 August 2021. EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

A person poses for photos, with the National Stadium, the main venue of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, in the background, in Tokyo, Japan, 04 December 2020. The Tokyo Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japanese Government, on 04 December, are to hold a three-party meeting to discuss allocation of Tokyo 2020 Games additional costs due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been rescheduled to be held on 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Residential buildings for athletes during a media tour at the Olympic and Paralympic Village for the Tokyo 2020 Games, constructed in the Harumi waterfront district of Tokyo, Japan, 20 June 2021. Athletes and officials at the Olympics will be subject to a range of penalties should they break virus protocols during the Tokyo Games. EPA-EFE/AKIO KON / POOL

Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 23 July 2021. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 08 August 2021. EPA-EFE/TAMAS KOVACS NO SALES / HUNGARY OUT

IOC president Thomas Bach (L) hands over the Olympic flag to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, 08 August 2021. Paris will host the 2024 Olympic Games. EPA-EFE/MICHAEL REYNOLDS