Top five bizarre facts about the Tokyo Olympics you might not know

The quadrennial extrvaganza will see some truly strange and unique events taking place.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are only a few weeks away from beginning. The air of doubt around the successful organization of the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic is still a big challenge. The host nation has taken every possible measure to make sure the multi-national, multi-sport event can finally begin after a postponement the previous year.

This will be the second time Japan will host the Summer Olympics after doing so earlier in 1964. The nation will host the games under strict restrictions and use their technological superiority to good effect.

Below are five bizarre facts about the upcoming Summer Olympics including the restrictions, modifications, inclusions, facilities and more!

5. Condoms at the Olympics

Every time a nation hosts a multi-sport event like the Olympics, they make sure a large quantity of condoms are available to the athletes and the general population. This peculiar facility makes sense because a huge number of sportspersons and their staff travel and live in close quarters. Most of them are young, adventurous and such a long stay can lead to intimacy, which acts as a relief from stress and pressure.

Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics will reportedly provide 160,000 condoms to the athletes and their support staff. Providing condoms sends a healthy message to have intercourse responsibly and also prevents transmission of STDs among the army of people who visit the country.

4. Medals made from recycled materials

The upcoming Tokyo Olympics, which will see the distribution of plenty of medals will do so by being environmentally responsible. Japan is a front-runner in recycling electronics and other consumer products, which helps the country be independent in terms of imports of needed raw materials.

Organizers of the Tokyo Games have kept the manufacturing process of the medals environmentally sound. The gold, silver and bronze medals will be made by using recycled electronic parts like mobile phones, home appliances, computer chips and so on. 

3. Karate among new sports

The Tokyo Olympics will see the inclusion of five new sports including karate. Karate is a popular sport in Japan and is gaining prominence all over the world.

There will be two types of events that will take place in karate, namely Kumite and Kata. 60 competitors are scheduled to participate for medals and the division will be 50/50 between female and male athletes. Karate will join Surfing, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Baseball as new sports at the Olympics.

2. No cheering or booze for fans

There will be several restrictions in place at the Tokyo Olympics to make sure the crowds do not gather and the virus does not spread. Among many peculiar restrictions, the spectators will need to adhere to is the one that bans any form of cheering. The fans cannot shout in support or celebration and cannot make any gesture like clapping that may encourage a gathering. 

Moreover, it is being reported that the venues will not offer alcoholic beverages to spectators. The organizers are encouraging the least amount of engagement from the fans and trying to come up with ways that will still ensure a mood of festivity.

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1. International fans banned from attending games

The Olympic Games are an occasion of an international gathering of people who come from all corners of the world. Whether it is the participating athletes or their fans, people travel to the host country from all across the globe. However, this will not be the case at the Tokyo Olympics.

Japan has currently banned international travel from 159 countries. Therefore, only Japanese locals will attend the games as international fans cannot travel to the Asian nation. Moreover, only 10,000 fans are allowed inside a venue given that the 50% capacity is not breached. Masks will be compulsory and the spectators must practice social distancing at all times.

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