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From gender-equality to the participation of trans-athletes: A list of epic firsts at Tokyo Olympics

First Olympics with no audience
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First Olympics with no audience

The beginning of the games followed a few setbacks, including different high-profile abdications. Quickly rising COVID-19 cases in Tokyo had additionally soured public sentiment. All spectators were prohibited from Olympic settings in Tokyo during the Games.

This included both abroad and homegrown ticket holders. Yet, it didn't keep individuals from partaking in the Games on TV or through online streaming.

All participants at the Games were required to wear a face mask at all times. Participants were also urged to minimize social interaction with others.

Firsts transgender athletes
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Firsts transgender athletes

In a firsts, New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard and USA's Chelsea Wolfe, hold in the BMX Freestyler group, were the first trans women to represent their nations at the Olympic Games.

They were joined by the USA skateboarder Alana Smith and Canada soccer player Quinn - the first straight forwardly trans-sexual non-binary competitors. To solidify the change much further, Quinn brought home gold in the first Olympic win for Canada's women's soccer team. 

Introduction of new games
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Introduction of new games

For the absolute first time since 1896 when the Summer Games started, new games skating, surfing, sport climbing, and karate were added at the Tokyo Olympics. Likewise, in the 13 years, softball and baseball made a comeback thinking about their fame in the host country.

Skateboarding is an action sport that made its debut in Tokyo after being included in the Olympic program for the first time.

Surfing was another adventure sport that made its Olympic debut and will continue to be a part of the mega sporting event as it has also been approved for the 2024 Paris Games.

Sports climbing induction in the Olympic program for the first time in Tokyo gave a huge boost to the discipline, which is popular among youths nowadays.

Karate, the traditional martial arts of Japan made its Olympics debut in Tokyo. 

A first gender-equal Games
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A first gender-equal Games

Gender Bias experiences have been compromising world harmony for a significant stretch of time and a spot that discussions about balance, this is a major first time. In Tokyo, 49% approx competitors were females preparing for an impartial future. 

The International Olympic Committee considered the Tokyo Olympics the most sex equivalent Games off record-breaking, with women including a record-breaking 49% of participants. 

This close to sex equality was long past due. By adding 18 new events and setting up an equivalent number of spots for people in each game aside from baseball and softball, the IOC had the option to arrive at this goal. There is likewise a higher number of mixed-gender competitions.

Japan - First Asian city to host two Olympics Games
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Japan - First Asian city to host two Olympics Games

With the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo became the first Asian city to have hosted the Summer Games twice. They last facilitated the Olympics in the year 1964. 

Philippines first gold medal
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Philippines first gold medal

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz ensured her place in Philippine folklore when she became the first athlete from the sprawling archipelago to win an Olympic gold medal.

The 30-year-old produced a personal best and set an Olympic record of 224kg in the women's 55kg class to edge her highly-fancied rival Liao Qiuyun of China by a single kilo.

It was a victory celebrated around the Philippines and forged in years of sacrifice by the Rio silver medallist, who trained for almost 18 months in exile in Malaysia because of Covid-19 restrictions.

"We are so proud of you!" tweeted Philippine boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao.

Turkmenistan first medal ever
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Turkmenistan first medal ever

For a few, it was the run for gold yet different nations were looking for their first medal ever.

Turkmenistan's weightlifter Polina Guryeva achieved the fantasy as she won the medal in the women's classification of weightlifting. She prearranged history by giving her country, their first-ever medal. 

Change in marathon victory ceremony
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Change in marathon victory ceremony

For the first time in history, a men's and women's victory ceremony happened together at the Summer Olympic Games.

At Tokyo 2020, the women's marathon medal winners received the same honor.