On Wednesday, April 14 2021, we have reached another milestone towards the hugely anticipated Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: there are now 100 days left till the event!
In order to commemorate the milestone, a number of activities are taking place. Giant Olympic Rings are being revealed on top of Mount Takao in Japan. Sports fans around the globe, as well as athletes are getting pumped up for the event.
In recent weeks, Sakura Japan and Samurai Japan – the men’s and women’s national hockey teams of the host nation – have been playing their part in the build-up to the XXXII Summer Olympiad. Sakura Japan – also known as the Cherry Blossoms – have been involved in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, carrying the Olympic flame through Kakamigahara city in Gifu prefecture, a key location for hockey in Japan.
“It was a wonderful experience”, said Sakura Japan athlete Hazuki Nagai, speaking exclusively to FIH. “Before the torch relay, we all were excited to be representing Japan Hockey. During the torch relay I felt emotional and excited. It was a one-time thing and I know that I will never experience the same thing again.”
Japan’s Samurais have also been involved in the build-up, taking part in the ‘Let’s 55 Virtual Experience’, a fascinating and innovative project from the Tokyo 2020 organisers. Covering all 55 sports that will feature at Tokyo 2020, the project uses specially fitted cameras to provide the viewer with an idea of what an athlete sees when they are playing their sport. The Samurais – who like Sakura Japan are the current champions of Asia – put their incredible skills to good effect, producing clips showing 3D dribbling, penalty corners from the perspective of the flicker, trapper and goalkeeper and much more.
The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take place from Saturday 24 July to Friday 6 August 2021. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches.
“Today is a good day for the Global Hockey Family. As we inch closer to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, let’s raise our spirits high and hope for an amazing event later this year.” – Dato Fumio, President, Asian Hockey Federation.
“As we approach the 100 days left mark for Tokyo 2020, let us keep in mind the huge efforts being put forward by the organizing committee in Japan, in face of the pandemic challenge. I wish them the best, and look forward to an exciting Olympic Games later this year!” – Dato Tayyab Ikram, Chief Executive, Asian Hockey Federation.
