Many Olympic nations are expected to demonstrate their support for gender equality and racial justice on Friday night with their selections of athletes to carry flags at the opening ceremony.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/tokyo-olympics">International Olympic Committee</a> changed it rules and asked each nation to select two flagbearers in an effort to increase gender equality at the Tokyo Games.

Gold-medal rower Mohamed Sbihi will be the first Muslim to carry the British flag at the Games, alongside sailor Hannah Mills.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-day-1-live-updates-youngest-archer-at-games-seeds-top-in-mens-event-399834" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics Live: Youngest archer at games seeds top in men’s event</a></h2>

"It is such an honour to be invited to be the flagbearer for Team GB," Sbihi said. "It is an iconic moment within the Olympic movement – people remember those images."

Aussies Cate Campbell and Patty Mills are both attending their fourth Olympics. Mills, a basketballer who plays for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, will be the first indigenous Australian selected to carry the flag for the Opening Ceremony.

"It's identity, it's being able to showcase who you are throughout the world," Mills said. "It's one of those things that makes you proud of who you are. We have definitely come a long way for Australian sport and it's special."

Have a look&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/olympic-games-super-fan-kyoko-ishikawa-gears-up-for-covid-ridden-tokyo-2020-399973" hreflang="en">Olympic Games' super fan, Kyoko Ishikawa, gears up for Covid-ridden Tokyo 2020</a>

Team USA will be represented by 40-year-old basketballer Sue Bird and Cuban-American baseballer Eddy Alvarez. Alvarez, who also won a silver medal for speedskating in the 2014 Winter Olympics, has expressed support for those in Cuba who have joined recent protests over the country's economic crisis.

"We feel for the people of Cuba right now. We're so proud of them because they are going out there to protest with stones, forks and broomsticks," he said.

For the Netherlands, it will be 36-year-old Dutch sprinter and Black athlete Churandy Martina, from Curaçao, and skateboarder Keet Oldenbeuving, 16. They are the oldest and youngest members of the Dutch Olympic team.

In Belgium's case, the two will also represent the country’s linguistic divide – heptathlete Nafi Thiam, a French speaker, and hockey player Felix Denayer, a Dutch speaker.

"What an honor!" posted Black sprinter Mujinga Kambundji with an emoji of the Swiss flag on Instagram after she was selected alongside Max Heinzer.

"When I started athletics as a child, going to the Olympics never sounded really realistic. Today, I’m preparing for my third Olympic Games, and this honor makes the experience even more special."

Many Olympic nations are expected to demonstrate their support for gender equality and racial justice on Friday night with their selections of athletes to carry flags at the opening ceremony.

Many Olympic nations are expected to demonstrate their support for gender equality and racial justice on Friday night with their selections of athletes to carry flags at the opening ceremony. The International Olympic Committee changed it rules and asked each nation to select two flagbearers in an effort to increase gender equality at the Tokyo Games. Gold-medal rower Mohamed Sbihi will be the first Muslim to carry the British flag at the Games, alongside sailor Hannah Mills. Tokyo Olympics Live: Youngest archer at games seeds top in men’s event "It is such an honour to be invited to be the flagbearer for Team GB," Sbihi said. "It is an iconic moment within the Olympic movement – people remember those images." Aussies Cate Campbell and Patty Mills are both attending their fourth Olympics. Mills, a basketballer who plays for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, will be the first indigenous Australian selected to carry the flag for the Opening Ceremony. "It's identity, it's being able to showcase who you are throughout the world," Mills said. "It's one of those things that makes you proud of who you are. We have definitely come a long way for Australian sport and it's special." Have a look Olympic Games' super fan, Kyoko Ishikawa, gears up for Covid-ridden Tokyo 2020 Team USA will be represented by 40-year-old basketballer Sue Bird and Cuban-American baseballer Eddy Alvarez. Alvarez, who also won a silver medal for speedskating in the 2014 Winter Olympics, has expressed support for those in Cuba who have joined recent protests over the country's economic crisis. "We feel for the people of Cuba right now. We're so proud of them because they are going out there to protest with stones, forks and broomsticks," he said. For the Netherlands, it will be 36-year-old Dutch sprinter and Black athlete Churandy Martina, from Curaçao, and skateboarder Keet Oldenbeuving, 16. They are the oldest and youngest members of the Dutch Olympic team. In Belgium's case, the two will also represent the country’s linguistic divide – heptathlete Nafi Thiam, a French speaker, and hockey player Felix Denayer, a Dutch speaker. "What an honor!" posted Black sprinter Mujinga Kambundji with an emoji of the Swiss flag on Instagram after she was selected alongside Max Heinzer. "When I started athletics as a child, going to the Olympics never sounded really realistic. Today, I’m preparing for my third Olympic Games, and this honor makes the experience even more special."

Tokyo 2020: Flagbearers to send messages of equality and justice at opening ceremony

All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organiser said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe.

The International Olympic Committee unveiled its first refugee team at the Rio 2016 Olympics to raise awareness of the issue as hundreds of thousands of people poured into Europe from the Middle East and elsewhere escaping conflict and poverty.

"The Olympic refugee team is representing 82.5 million forcibly displaced people and refugees around the world," James Macleod, the IOC's director of Olympic solidarity, told a virtual news conference.

"There is a feeling of hope that they can shine a spotlight on this issue."

For the Tokyo Games, the team comprised of people from countries including Syria, South Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iran is almost three times as big as the inaugural team at the Rio.

All of the athletes arrived in Tokyo by late Thursday after a delay in some of their trips following a positive COVID-19 test of a team official at a training camp in Qatar.

The athletes will march into the stadium during the opening ceremony in second place behind ancient Games founders Greece and will compete in 12 sports.

"Everyone is excited, but they are, like any other elite-level athletes, trying to concentrate on the Games," Macleod said.

Six of them competed at Rio, but for the rest, it will be their first Games.

"What we don't do with the refugee Olympic team is to project medals and results," Macleod said."We want the athletes not to have that pressure, we want them to be able to enjoy the participation here."

All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organiser said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe.

All 29 athletes in the Olympic refugee team will march behind the Olympic flag at the Tokyo Games opening ceremony on Friday, an organiser said, to represent the more than 82 million displaced people across the globe. The International Olympic Committee unveiled its first refugee team at the Rio 2016 Olympics to raise awareness of the issue as hundreds of thousands of people poured into Europe from the Middle East and elsewhere escaping conflict and poverty. "The Olympic refugee team is representing 82.5 million forcibly displaced people and refugees around the world," James Macleod, the IOC's director of Olympic solidarity, told a virtual news conference. "There is a feeling of hope that they can shine a spotlight on this issue." For the Tokyo Games, the team comprised of people from countries including Syria, South Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iran is almost three times as big as the inaugural team at the Rio. All of the athletes arrived in Tokyo by late Thursday after a delay in some of their trips following a positive COVID-19 test of a team official at a training camp in Qatar. The athletes will march into the stadium during the opening ceremony in second place behind ancient Games founders Greece and will compete in 12 sports. "Everyone is excited, but they are, like any other elite-level athletes, trying to concentrate on the Games," Macleod said. Six of them competed at Rio, but for the rest, it will be their first Games. "What we don't do with the refugee Olympic team is to project medals and results," Macleod said."We want the athletes not to have that pressure, we want them to be able to enjoy the participation here."

Tokyo Olympics: All athletes in refugee team to join opening ceremony

Olympic Games' super fan, Kyoko Ishikawa, gears up for Covid-ridden Tokyo 2020

The Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced on Friday that 110 people have been infected with the coronavirus as a result of the Games.

The coronavirus has been diagnosed in 19 persons, including three who are living at the Olympic Village in the capital's Harumi seaside district.

The daily figure was the highest since the committee began announcing COVID-19 positive cases among persons associated with the Olympics on July 1st.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is determined to hold the Olympics, placed Tokyo under a state of emergency on July 12, but daily cases have sharply increased since then.

Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo touched a six-month high on Thursday, one day before the Olympics begin, raising fears of a worsening of infections during the Games.

The 1,979 new cases reported on Thursday are the most since 2,044 were reported on January 15.

Japan has reported about 853,000 cases and 15,100 deaths since the pandemic began, most of them this year.

Still, the number of cases and deaths as a share of the population are much lower than in many other countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced on Friday that 110 people have been infected with the coronavirus as a result of the Games. The coronavirus has been diagnosed in 19 persons, including three who are living at the Olympic Village in the capital's Harumi seaside district.

The Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced on Friday that 110 people have been infected with the coronavirus as a result of the Games. The coronavirus has been diagnosed in 19 persons, including three who are living at the Olympic Village in the capital's Harumi seaside district. The daily figure was the highest since the committee began announcing COVID-19 positive cases among persons associated with the Olympics on July 1st. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is determined to hold the Olympics, placed Tokyo under a state of emergency on July 12, but daily cases have sharply increased since then. Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo touched a six-month high on Thursday, one day before the Olympics begin, raising fears of a worsening of infections during the Games. The 1,979 new cases reported on Thursday are the most since 2,044 were reported on January 15. Japan has reported about 853,000 cases and 15,100 deaths since the pandemic began, most of them this year. Still, the number of cases and deaths as a share of the population are much lower than in many other countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Tokyo Olympics: COVID-19 cases among Games-related persons cross 100

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have finally started. After being postponed for nearly a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo is ready to host one of the biggest and most controversial games.

With the opening ceremony a few hours away, here is a list of main events that will be taking place from July 23 onwards (all time slots are in BST).

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-day-1-live-updates-indian-men-archers-finish-below-30-places-399834" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics Live: Indian men archers finish below 30 places</a></h2>

<h1>July 23, Friday — Day Zero</h1>

<h2>Archery</h2>

In the morning in Tokyo, archers set out to compete for a ranking round. While this round will not result in anyone’s elimination, it will help determine seeding for women’s and men’s individual tournaments.

<h2>Rowing</h2>

A similar rowing competition is also scheduled for the morning which will see the participation of known players such as Vicky Thornley, Olaf Tufte and more.

<h2>Opening ceremony</h2>

The opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will begin around 12pm BST and will continue till 4 pm.

While usually there are always some elements of surprise and air of curiosity around the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, this year’s ceremony will be toned down.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the guest list has been limited to a selected few, including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-jill-biden-emmanuel-macron-arrives-in-japan-for-tokyo-2020-opening-ceremony-399840">First Lady of the United States Jill Biden, and the French President Emmanuel Macron</a>. Due to the fear of COVID-19 in Tokyo, no fans will be allowed to enjoy the games from the Olympic stands this year.

This year, the opening ceremony is hoped to be based on Japan’s influence and place in the world of technology. However, the same has not been confirmed by the authorities yet.

In a first, teams will be entering the opening ceremony as per the Japanese-language order, rather than following the English alphabet as usual. However, like every year, Greece will be entering first as it is the originating Olympic host country, and since the host nation enters last, Japan will be the last team to enter the stadium.

<h1 class="MsoNormal">July 24, Saturday — Day one</h1>

Day one of the Olympic Games after the opening ceremony will host 11 medal events. The events that are scheduled for July 24 are Archery (mixed), cycling (men’s road race at 03:00), fencing (men’s sabre and women’s epee), Judo (women’s 48kg and men’s 60kg), weightlifting for women’s 49 kg category, taekwondo (women’s 49 kg and men’s 58 kg) and shooting (women’s 10m air rifle and men’s 10m air pistol).

In addition to this, men’s artistic gymnastics qualifiers are also scheduled to start from 02:00 till 14:00. Other swimming events, majorly only heats, will also start from Saturday.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have finally started. After being postponed for nearly a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo is ready to host one of the biggest and most controversial games.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have finally started. After being postponed for nearly a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo is ready to host one of the biggest and most controversial games. With the opening ceremony a few hours away, here is a list of main events that will be taking place from July 23 onwards (all time slots are in BST). Tokyo Olympics Live: Indian men archers finish below 30 places July 23, Friday — Day Zero Archery In the morning in Tokyo, archers set out to compete for a ranking round. While this round will not result in anyone’s elimination, it will help determine seeding for women’s and men’s individual tournaments. Rowing A similar rowing competition is also scheduled for the morning which will see the participation of known players such as Vicky Thornley, Olaf Tufte and more. Opening ceremony The opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will begin around 12pm BST and will continue till 4 pm. While usually there are always some elements of surprise and air of curiosity around the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, this year’s ceremony will be toned down. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the guest list has been limited to a selected few, including the First Lady of the United States Jill Biden, and the French President Emmanuel Macron. Due to the fear of COVID-19 in Tokyo, no fans will be allowed to enjoy the games from the Olympic stands this year. This year, the opening ceremony is hoped to be based on Japan’s influence and place in the world of technology. However, the same has not been confirmed by the authorities yet. In a first, teams will be entering the opening ceremony as per the Japanese-language order, rather than following the English alphabet as usual. However, like every year, Greece will be entering first as it is the originating Olympic host country, and since the host nation enters last, Japan will be the last team to enter the stadium. July 24, Saturday — Day one Day one of the Olympic Games after the opening ceremony will host 11 medal events. The events that are scheduled for July 24 are Archery (mixed), cycling (men’s road race at 03:00), fencing (men’s sabre and women’s epee), Judo (women’s 48kg and men’s 60kg), weightlifting for women’s 49 kg category, taekwondo (women’s 49 kg and men’s 58 kg) and shooting (women’s 10m air rifle and men’s 10m air pistol). In addition to this, men’s artistic gymnastics qualifiers are also scheduled to start from 02:00 till 14:00. Other swimming events, majorly only heats, will also start from Saturday.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: A guide of main events schedule and timings

The countdown begins for the 2020 Olympic under growing fear of Coronavirus. Recently World Health Organization declares coronavirus a global pandemic.

Countdown Begins for 2020 Summer Olympics | Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

A plan to use snow collected in Japan's mountains to cool 2020 Olympics venues this summer is being stymied by snowfalls on track to be the lowest on record, according to officials involved.

The Olympics are coming to Japan; So too is climate change

Japan at the G20 Summit venue had displayed the Olympics torch which will be used in the relay when the country hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The Olympic flame will be carried from Greece to Japan in March of 2020 and will be the showstopper of the relay that will happen across the country. The torch will be displayed in Miyagi Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture for two days each.

The torch is being called as the "fame of recovery" and begins the relay from Fukushima from March 26 and ends on July 24, 2020, in Tokyo. The aim of starting from Fukushima is to send a signal that the area has recovered.&nbsp;

The region was devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Tens of thousands of people died in the disaster, the worst in Japan's modern history and also caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The torch will be carried across Japan for 121 days including travel days.

Part of the material from which the Olympic torch is made by recycled aluminium that was originally used in the construction of prefabricated housing units in the aftermath of 2011 earthquake.&nbsp;

The torch is produced from a single sheet of metal and has been created by using the aluminium extrusion manufacturing technology, the same technology that is used in the production of Shinkansen bullet train.&nbsp;

The design of the torch has been inspired by a cherry blossom motif--Sakura, the flower that represents Japan. The torch relay coincides with cherry blossom season of Japan.

The para Olympic relay will happen from August 13 to 25, 2020.

Japan at the G20 Summit venue had displayed the Olympics torch which will be used in the relay when the country hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics. The Olympic flame will be carried from Greece to Japan in March of 2020 and will be the showstopper of the relay that will happen across the country.

Japan at the G20 Summit venue had displayed the Olympics torch which will be used in the relay when the country hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics. The Olympic flame will be carried from Greece to Japan in March of 2020 and will be the showstopper of the relay that will happen across the country. The torch will be displayed in Miyagi Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture for two days each. The torch is being called as the "fame of recovery" and begins the relay from Fukushima from March 26 and ends on July 24, 2020, in Tokyo. The aim of starting from Fukushima is to send a signal that the area has recovered. The region was devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Tens of thousands of people died in the disaster, the worst in Japan's modern history and also caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The torch will be carried across Japan for 121 days including travel days. Part of the material from which the Olympic torch is made by recycled aluminium that was originally used in the construction of prefabricated housing units in the aftermath of 2011 earthquake. The torch is produced from a single sheet of metal and has been created by using the aluminium extrusion manufacturing technology, the same technology that is used in the production of Shinkansen bullet train. The design of the torch has been inspired by a cherry blossom motif--Sakura, the flower that represents Japan. The torch relay coincides with cherry blossom season of Japan. The para Olympic relay will happen from August 13 to 25, 2020.

Japan displays 2020 Olympics torch at G20 Summit venue

The owner of a Japanese sushi restaurant chain on Saturday set a record by paying more than $3 million for a bluefin tuna in the year's first auction at Tokyo's new fish market, exceeding his own record price of 2013.

Kiyoshi Kimura, who owns the Sushizanmai chain, paid 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million) for the 278-kg (613-lb) fish caught off the coast of northern Japan's Aomori prefecture, or double what he had paid six years ago.

"The tuna looks so tasty and very fresh, but I think I did too much," Kimura told reporters outside the market later.

"I expected it would be between 30 million and 50 million yen or 60 million yen at the highest, but it ended up five times more."

Saturday's event was the first New Year auction of the Toyosu market after the famed Tsukiji fish market shut last year to provide temporary parking for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

Kimura had held the record for top price paid for a single fish at the new year's auction for six straight years until 2017. But last year, the owner of a different fish restaurant chain paid the highest price.

After the auction, the fish was taken to one of Sushizanmai's branches located in the old market of Tsukiji.

Tuna is prized around the world for its use in sushi, but experts warn growing demand has made it an endangered species.

Kiyoshi Kimura, who owns the Sushizanmai chain, paid 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million) for the 278-kg (613-lb) fish caught off the coast of northern Japan's Aomori prefecture, or double what he had paid six years ago.

The owner of a Japanese sushi restaurant chain on Saturday set a record by paying more than $3 million for a bluefin tuna in the year's first auction at Tokyo's new fish market, exceeding his own record price of 2013. Kiyoshi Kimura, who owns the Sushizanmai chain, paid 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million) for the 278-kg (613-lb) fish caught off the coast of northern Japan's Aomori prefecture, or double what he had paid six years ago. "The tuna looks so tasty and very fresh, but I think I did too much," Kimura told reporters outside the market later. "I expected it would be between 30 million and 50 million yen or 60 million yen at the highest, but it ended up five times more." Saturday's event was the first New Year auction of the Toyosu market after the famed Tsukiji fish market shut last year to provide temporary parking for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Kimura had held the record for top price paid for a single fish at the new year's auction for six straight years until 2017. But last year, the owner of a different fish restaurant chain paid the highest price. After the auction, the fish was taken to one of Sushizanmai's branches located in the old market of Tsukiji. Tuna is prized around the world for its use in sushi, but experts warn growing demand has made it an endangered species.

Tuna sells for record $3 million in auction at Tokyo's new fish market

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organisers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending.

Organisers have been working to cut expenses since a study warned they could balloon to four times estimates made during the bidding process, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants Tokyo to set a good example for future host cities.

However, the third version of the budget announced on Friday was equal to the projection issued last year, after organisers had managed to reduce it from the $14 billion outlay unveiled two years ago.

"There is still a lot of work to be done to control expenditure," Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said in a statement.

"But with the cooperation of the IOC, Tokyo 2020 will continue to make best efforts to maximize revenues, contain costs and keep its budget within 600 billion yen ($5.6 billion)," he said, referring to the organising committee's portion of the overall budget.

Organisers said requirements were becoming clearer with less than 600 days to go until the event, prompting them to bump up estimates for transportation and Games operations by $100 million apiece.

However, those increases were offset by a reduction in a contingencies reserve and through other savings, with organisers also highlighting robust domestic sponsor revenues, up $100 million from last year to $3 billion.

Of the overall budget, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government accounts for $5.6 billion and the central government $1.4 billion, unchanged from last year.

(Figures are based on the 107 yen per dollar rate set in version 1 of the budget.)

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organisers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending.

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organisers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending. Organisers have been working to cut expenses since a study warned they could balloon to four times estimates made during the bidding process, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants Tokyo to set a good example for future host cities. However, the third version of the budget announced on Friday was equal to the projection issued last year, after organisers had managed to reduce it from the $14 billion outlay unveiled two years ago. "There is still a lot of work to be done to control expenditure," Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said in a statement. "But with the cooperation of the IOC, Tokyo 2020 will continue to make best efforts to maximize revenues, contain costs and keep its budget within 600 billion yen ($5.6 billion)," he said, referring to the organising committee's portion of the overall budget. Organisers said requirements were becoming clearer with less than 600 days to go until the event, prompting them to bump up estimates for transportation and Games operations by $100 million apiece. However, those increases were offset by a reduction in a contingencies reserve and through other savings, with organisers also highlighting robust domestic sponsor revenues, up $100 million from last year to $3 billion. Of the overall budget, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government accounts for $5.6 billion and the central government $1.4 billion, unchanged from last year. (Figures are based on the 107 yen per dollar rate set in version 1 of the budget.)

Tokyo keeps budget at $12.6 billion, more work needed