The Olympic Games started today in Tokyo, after a one-year postponement, due to the COVID pandemic. The opening ceremony of the 32nd edition of the history of the Summer Olympic Games, an event to which spectators will not have access, due to the pandemic. The decision not to allow fans access to the event was made after the Japanese capital entered a new state of health emergency due to the coronavirus.
The Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, according to the established formula, solemnly said “I declare the Tokyo Games open”, marking the beginning of the great event. The Olympic flame has been lit and will burn until the last day of the competition on August 8.
More than 11,000 athletes from 206 countries will compete in 339 events, in a number of 33 different sports, at the Tokyo Olympics.
Four new sports will be introduced at this year’s edition: karate, surfing, climbing and skateboarding, and baseball-softball returns after 12 years. In addition, new tests have been introduced in current sports, such as 3×3 basketball, BMX freestyle cycling and mixed swimming, athletics, triathlon, judo and archery tests.
At the opening ceremony, the Romanian delegation will have as flag bearer Simona Radiș (rowing) together with Robert Glință (swimming).
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Romania is represented by 101 athletes competing in 17 sports. The representatives of Romania will compete in swimming, athletics, rowing, football, artistic gymnastics, 3×3 basketball, cycling, wrestling, sports shooting, canoeing, table tennis, boxing, fencing, triathlon, judo, archery and tennis.
Romania’s first participation in the Olympic Games took place in 1900. Starting with 1924, it participated with a complete team and since then it has been absent in only two editions of the Summer Olympic Games, in 1932 in Los Angeles and London 1948, as well. and at a 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, USA.
Romanian athletes won a total of 306 Olympic medals, of which 305 at the Summer Olympics (89 gold, 95 silver and 123 bronze) and a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics.
Good luck Romania!
