After being postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, opening ceremonies for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will take place on Friday, July 23rd at 7:30 p.m. EST. Spectators and Olympic athletes' families have been banned from The Games and the Japanese Olympic Committee also banned in-person spectators once Covid-19 cases began to rise in Japan. In fact, many Japanese doctors and residents would prefer to see The Olympics canceled.
Opposition aside, The Games will go on and for many across the world, it presents an opportunity to share this historical event with your family. Here are some ideas on how to watch The Olympics with your kids and get the most out of The Summer Games.
How to watch The Olympics: 2021 Summer Games Schedule
What sports are in The Summer Olympics 2021?
We all have our favorite Olympic sports and it's likely your kids will be no different. For kids who play softball and baseball, this may be their first experience seeing them played at The Olympic Games. Both sports were removed from the lineup 13 years ago.
Other kids will be thrilled to watch some of the best skateboarders in the world vie for Olympic medals for the first time at The Games, like 13-year-old Sky Brown, pictured above, who is Britain's youngest Summer Olympian.
In addition to skateboarding, events including sports climbing, surfing and karate will make their Olympic debut this year. If you want to know how to watch The Olympics with your kids and fit it into your schedule, the following breakdown can help you schedule around work, summer camp, or any family vacations you may have on the calendar.
When and how to watch The Olympics 2021: sports kids may enjoy
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Softball: July 23 – July 27
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Surfing: July 24 – July 31
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Skateboarding: July 24 – Aug. 4
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Baseball: July. 27 – Aug. 7
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Sport Climbing: Aug. 3 – Aug. 6
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Karate: Aug. 4 – Aug. 7
As you sit down to watch The Olympics with your kids, your child may express an interest in The Olympics, and of course only you know the realities of whether or not that can happen for them. However, even if our kids are not Olympics-bound, we can foster an Olympic attitude in them.
"Most kids don't win hard-to-reach awards, go pro, or end up on national TV. Even knowing that we involve them in activities, pay for lessons and equipment, and schlep them to instructors and practices," Today contributor, Dr. Deborah Gilboa said. "They will need to dedicate themselves, to persevere, even to sacrifice. Teaching those skills to our children is far more important than shepherding them to the Olympics."
