Tag: Olympic 2020

Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021: IOC

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) — The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, the International Olympic Committee announced Tuesday. The Games were scheduled for July 24-August 9, but after telephone discussions between IOC president Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a historic joint decision was taken for the first postponement of an Olympics in peacetime. Abe had earlier said […]

China appoint Hiddink to lead Olympic 2020 charge

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) – Highly respected Dutchman Guus Hiddink was named on Monday as the new coach of China’s under-21 football team, tasked with leading the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The 71-year-old joins another well-known veteran coach, the Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, in taking a major role in China’s aggressive push to finally become a force in international football. The 70-year-old Lippi has been in charge of the senior side since […]

Tokyo 2020 unveil bug-eyed Olympic mascot hopefuls

by Alastair Himmer Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo Olympic organizers unveiled a shortlist of three official 2020 Games mascots Thursday — from bug-eyed cartoon heroes to cuddly raccoons. The Olympic and Paralympic designs, which celebrate the themes of harmony, diversity and resilience, were unveiled by pupils at a Tokyo elementary school. After a bungled rollout of the official Olympic logo that led to it being scrapped following accusations of plagiarism, local organisers […]