Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: 1. The official motto for this Olympics is 'A New World'. 2. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are included in this Olympics. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Contents14
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong:
The official motto was amended in July 2021 to 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together' (adding 'Together' to the existing motto).
It was not 'A New World.'
Statement 2 is correct:
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics introduced five new sports under new IOC rules allowing host cities to propose popular sports:
- baseball/softball
- surfing
- skateboarding
- karate
- sport climbing
Only
Statement 2 is correct.
Answer: (b).
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) introduced five new sports for the first time: baseball/softball, surfing, skateboarding, karate, and sport climbing.
The IOC changed its Olympic motto in July 2021 from 'Faster, Higher, Stronger' to 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together', adding the word 'Together' during the Tokyo Olympics itself.
UPSC tests current Olympic developments because India's Olympic performance and sports policy are regularly in news and government focus.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics Overview
Art And Culture 32nd Summer Olympics Tokyo 2020
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Key Facts & UPSC Details
32nd Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan in 2021 (delayed from 2020)
Official motto: 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together' (Together added in July 2021)
Five new sports added: Baseball/Softball, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, Sport Climbing
First Olympics postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
Context
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were the 32nd Summer Olympic Games, originally scheduled for 2020 but held in July-August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first Olympics to be postponed in peacetime and featured significant changes including new sports and an updated motto.
Key Olympic Details
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Official Name | Games of the XXXII Olympiad |
Host City | Tokyo, Japan |
Dates | 23 July - 8 August 2021 |
Official Motto | 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together' |
Participating Nations | 206 countries |
New Sports Added | 5 sports (Baseball/Softball, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, Sport Climbing) |
Question Anchoring
Statement 1 trap: 'A New World' was never the official motto — the actual motto added 'Together' to the traditional Olympic motto in July 2021
Statement 2 correct: The five new sports were indeed included under IOC rules allowing host cities to propose locally popular sports
Motto confusion: The official motto is 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together', not 'A New World' or any other phrase
Year confusion: Called 'Tokyo 2020' but actually held in 2021 due to COVID-19 postponement
Numbering: This was the 32nd Summer Olympics, not to be confused with Winter Olympics numbering
Olympic Motto Evolution
Art And Culture official motto
Olympic Motto: History & Recent Changes
Original motto: 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' (Faster, Higher, Stronger) since 1894
Updated in July 2021: 'Together' added to become 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together'
Proposed by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of modern Olympics
Historical Context
The Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' (Latin for 'Faster, Higher, Stronger') was adopted in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin. It remained unchanged for over 125 years until the IOC modified it in 2021.
Motto Evolution
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**1894**
**'Citius, Altius, Fortius'** adopted by Pierre de Coubertin`"]
s2["`**1894-2021**
Motto remains **unchanged** for 127 years across all Olympics`"]
s3["`**July 2021**
IOC adds **'Together'** → **'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together'**`"]
s4["`**Tokyo 2021**
**First Olympics** with the updated motto`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Not 'A New World': UPSC may use fake mottos — the only real motto is 'Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together'
Latin vs English: Original is 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' but commonly referred to in English translation
Tokyo 2020 New Sports
Art And Culture Sport Climbing Surfing Skateboarding Karate Baseball
Five New Sports Added to Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Five new sports added: Baseball/Softball, Karate, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing
Added under IOC Agenda 2020 allowing host cities to propose locally popular sports
Aimed at engaging younger audiences and reflecting host culture
Context
Under IOC Agenda 2020 reforms, host cities gained the right to propose additional sports that are popular locally and appeal to younger demographics. Tokyo proposed five sports that were all approved for the 2020 Games.
New Sports Details
Sport | Why Added | Appeal | Olympic Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Baseball/Softball | Popular in Japan & Americas | Traditional sport returning | Previously in Olympics (1992-2008) |
Karate | Originated in Japan | Martial arts representation | First-time inclusion |
Skateboarding | Youth culture globally | Urban/street sports | First-time inclusion |
Sport Climbing | Growing popularity worldwide | Adventure/extreme sports | First-time inclusion |
Surfing | Beach culture appeal | Lifestyle/nature sports | First-time inclusion |
Significance
Youth engagement: All five sports popular among 15-25 age group to attract younger Olympic viewership
Host relevance: Baseball and Karate especially significant in Japanese culture
Gender balance: Sports chosen partly to improve male-female participation ratio
All five correct: Don't eliminate any — Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Baseball were all added
Baseball vs Softball: Technically Baseball/Softball counted as one sport with separate men's/women's competitions
Temporary addition: These sports were added specifically for Tokyo 2020, not automatically continued for future Olympics
Olympic Sports Classification
Art And Culture
How Olympic Sports are Classified & Added
28 core sports are permanent in Summer Olympics
Host cities can propose additional sports under IOC Agenda 2020
Maximum 10,500 athletes and 310 events allowed per Olympics
Olympic Sports Categories
Category | Number | Status | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Core Sports | 28 sports | Permanent for all Olympics | Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics |
Additional Sports | Up to 5 | Host city proposal | Tokyo 2020: Baseball, Karate, etc. |
Demonstration Sports | Variable | Showcase only (discontinued) | Hot air ballooning (1900) |
IOC Selection Criteria
Youth appeal: Sports must attract younger demographics globally
Gender equality: Must contribute to balanced male-female participation
Host relevance: Should reflect local culture or popular sports in host nation
Global reach: Must have sufficient international participation and governance
Not automatic continuation: Additional sports added by one host city don't automatically continue to next Olympics
28 vs 33: 28 core sports are permanent; total can reach 33 with additional sports