Olympic venues at Tokyo 2020 - Top 10 things to know
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Which of the venues in Japan that will house the Games are iconic? The most unique? Or historic? Find out here. Take your pick. Forty-two in all, 25 previously existed, 10 temporary and eight built from scratch. The venues that will stage the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games come in all shapes and sizes, something for everyone. While all are essential in the delivery of the Games, here's 10 of them with a particular point of difference: Olympic Stadium Locals just call it koku-ritsu - meaning "National". Undoubtedly the metonym of Tokyo 2020, the 68,000-seater is built on the same premises as the main stadium of Tokyo's last Games in 1964. The old stadium was used to showcase the country's biggest sporting and entertainment events until it was torn down for the new one, which was completed in November 2019. The Kuma Kengo-designed Olympic Stadium has a natural, wooden tone to it and fits right in the Meiji Jingu Gaien district, a heaven for runners including internationally acclaimed writer Murakami Haruki. The ground is Japan's answer to a Wembley, Maracana or the Bird's Nest, and will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as the athletics and football competitions. It is also a stone's throw away from another Olympic venue, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, which will hold the table tennis. Yoyogi National Gymnasium Still one of the most beloved pieces of architecture in the city, this arena was also built for the 1964 Games to house swimming and diving events. For Tokyo 2020, it will be home to handball and in the Paralympics, wheelchair rugby and badminton. The venue is the work of world-renowned architect Tange Kenzo, whose design at the time was seen as an industry marvel. Construction began in February 1963 and a 24/7/365 operation was required to complete it - only 39 days before Tokyo 1964 opened. For his contribution, Tange was specially decorated by then International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage. The gymnasium is nestled in between Tokyo's trend hubs Shibuya and Harajuku. Nippon Budokan Alongside the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, the mecca of judo is arguably the most iconic of the Tokyo 2020 venues. The Budokan introduced judo to the Olympic programme in 1964 and will red-carpet another new sport to the Games this summer - karate. The Budokan is tested and Games ready, having hosted the 2019 world judo championships amid nearly two years of renovation work. Oh, and the Beatles played here. And Cheap Trick. And Muhammad Ali fought Japanese pro wrestling legend Antonio Inoki. And... International Stadium Yokohama A seasoned venue of world-class sporting events such as the finals for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2019 Rugby World Cup, the stadium is the largest in Japan with a capacity of 72,327. Around an hour away from central Tokyo, International Stadium Yokohama is home to the J.League's Yokohama F Marinos. Fittingly, the football competition will be held here. Kokugikan Arena The Tokyo home to the Japanese national pastime sumo, the Kokugikan will stage boxing this summer. Located in the old Tokyo ward of Sumida-ku, sumo fans regularly pack the arena and after the bouts, head out in the neighbourhood for some vintage chanko-nabe, irresistible hot-pot dishes preferred by the wrestlers to put on weight. A trip to the Kokugikan is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience, both in and out of the venue. Tokyo Aquatics Centre Within walking distance of the old spiritual home of Japanese swimming, Tatsumi International Swimming Center, is the new one - and it's nothing short of stunning. The Aquatics Centre was the last of the eight newly built venues to be completed, in February 2020. The length and width of the state-of-the-art main pool are adjustable, and test swimmers who have taken a dip say it's a fast course, hinting at potential records galore come the Games. While a cr
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Published 06/29/21