The 5th day of the Tokyo Olympics was full of surprises, achievements, new records, and some failures as well. However, some thought-provoking events made headlines on the 5th day of the Olympics occurring in Tokyo.
Competing from Canada, Quinn became the first transgender athlete to take part in the Olympics while he played against Japan. Hidilyn Diaz earned the first-ever Olympic gold medal ever for the Philippines under 55kg weightlifting competition.
The Stage Against Sexism: German gymnasts full Unifrom
It is a known fact that for decades, female gymnasts have worn bikini-cut leotards but the German team instead wore unitards that stretched to their ankles. Though, their team’s outfits looked similar to the others with crystals crisscrossing to their crimson and white sleeves. This practice was simply done by the athletes to avoid the sexualization of women in gymnastics. “We wanted to show that every woman, everybody should decide what to wear”, stated Elisabeth Seitz, who competed in her third game. “That doesn’t mean we don’t want to wear the normal leotard anymore, it is a decision day by day, based on how we feel and what we want, we will decide what to wear” added the 27-year-old Seitz.
The Olympics 2020 are the first Summer Games since Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics national team doctor, was jailed for 176 years. He was found guilty of sexually abusing hundreds of gymnasts including Simone Biles. After his sentencing, it is said that sport’s culture allowed for abuse and objectification of young women and girls, and on the other hand, male gymnasts wear body-covering clothes comparatively. Just days before the games began, during European tournaments, the Norwegian women’s beach volleyball team refused to play in bikini bottoms and competed in skin-tight shorts. However, they received a fine for violating a wardrobe requirement. Even though the German team did not qualify for the finals, their stage might increase their popularity.
“I’m not in the right headspace. There is more to life than just gymnastics”
Furthermore, it was reported that star US Gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the women’s all-around final. The respective reason for her decision was her mental health. The six-time Olympic medalist wants to focus on her mental health. Though, it is not confirmed whether she will compete in next week’s apparatus finals. Jade Carey, who had the ninth-highest score in qualifications, will compete in her place in the all-round. In an Instagram post on Monday Biles said she was feeling the pressure during Sunday’s qualifying.
“I truly do feel like I have weight of the world on my shoulders at times” wrote the 24-year-old in her post. After the event, Simone revealed that she took a step back because she “didn’t want to do something silly”. “I’m not in the right headspace. There is more to life than just gymnastics” she added. However, she still watched and supported her team perform on bars after pulling out of the competition. After Simone, Naomi Osaka crashed out of the Olympics after she was defeated by Marketa Vondrousova. She revealed how she couldn’t handle the pressure of the games. “I definitely feel like there was a lot of pressure for this,” said Osaka. “I feel like my attitude wasn’t that great because I don’t really know how to cope with the pressure”, added the 23-year-old. Nevertheless, both Biles and Osaka received support and praises from the General Public.
Unforgettable 72 hours: A stolen passport, a typhoon, a borrowed surfboard to a Gold Medal
Brazil’s Italo Ferreira made history as he claimed surfing’s first Olympic gold medal along with Carissa Moore. However, there is something more exciting than his achievement and that is his story of being qualified for the Olympics. A stolen passport, a typhoon, a borrowed surfboard, and denim shorts led Italo to be ISA world surfing games Champion in Japan leaving his Olympic qualification secured. Just days before he was due to travel for ISA World surfing games, Ferreira’s car was broken and thieves stole his passport along with his Visa for Japan. Even though Italo applied for a new passport and visa to make it
On-time, a Typhoon delayed his plane causing him to be late. When he finally landed, the competition was already going on and he had only nine minutes left to make up a 12- Point deficit so, he wore the same jean shorts in which he traveled and borrowed a surfboard from fellow Brazilian Filipe Toledo.
Italo shocked the world with a winning performance even after all the pressure he was feeling for the last 72 hours. Later on, Ferreira stated that “If you have a problem in your life, do not give up. Believe in the end. It will be alright, just believe it is possible ”, and give the world another inspiring story.
What’s More?
With other Tokyo Olympics related news, PV Sindhu defeated Hong Kong’s Cheung in straight games and made her space for the pre-quarterfinals. Indian shooters still couldn’t get qualified for the medal rounds and India again beat Spain in hockey. Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain (69)kg defeated Germany and entered quarterfinals as well.
