IOC President Thomas Bach announces the host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the IOC)
Brisbane won the bid for 2032 Summer Olympics as football and softball matches kicked off.
TOKYO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- With two days to go before the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games officially open, the host city for the 2032 Summer Games has already been confirmed following a vote at the 138th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) here Wednesday.
The Australian city of Brisbane received 72 yes and five no votes from 77 valid votes to win the right. It will be the third time that Australia hosts the world sporting extravaganza, after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.
In February, the IOC said that Brisbane was the preferred candidate to host the 2032 Games. On June 10, the IOC's 15-strong executive board approved Brisbane as the single candidate for election.
Brisbane will receive the baton from Paris (2024) and Los Angeles (2028) to host the Olympics. The two aforementioned cities were both confirmed in 2017, marking the first time that the IOC has awarded both Games at the same time.
"It is a project which is absolutely in line with the IOC reforms and a project of sustainable Games in every aspect," said the IOC President Thomas Bach.
The IOC Session also received updates from organizers of future Olympic Games, including the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Beijing 2022 organizers present demonstration report at the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the IOC)
In its demonstration report, Beijing 2022 organizers underlined seven aspects including venues and infrastructure, test events, operation of competitions and venues, Games services, communications and engagement, sustainability and legacy, COVID-19 prevention and control, reassuring the IOC and the world that China will deliver a "simple, safe and splendid" Winter Olympic Games in fewer than 200 days.
Competitions got underway on Wednesday, with women's football and softball action.
In women's football Group F matches, veteran Marta scored twice to become the first player to score in five consecutive Olympic Games, helping Brazil record a lop-sided 5-0 victory over China.
Marta (L) of Brazil vies with Wurigumula of China during Tokyo 2020 women's football group F match in Miyagi, Japan, July 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
The Chinese team created several chances, but luck was not on their side. Wang Shanshan's shot hit the post in the 52nd minute, and China's two consecutive attempts afterward were denied by the crossbar.
The other match of the group saw the Netherlands trounce Zambia 10-3.
In Group G, Sweden inflicted a stunning 3-0 loss on title favorites United States, who had lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Stina Blackstenius (2nd, L) of Sweden celebrates with her teammates after scoring a goal during the women's football match G match against the United States at Tokyo 2020 in Tokyo on July 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)
Softball gold medal potential contenders Japan and the United States kicked their Olympic campaign on a high note, with the hosts topping Australia 8-1 and USA defeating Italy 2-0.
The Tokyo Olympics is also pestered with unpleasant news of COVID-19. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) announced that Pavel Sirucek from the Czech Republic has tested positive for COVID-19 and become the first paddler to withdraw from Tokyo 2020.
