New Zealanders are set to be glued to their seats from 24 July until 9 August 2020 with an action-packed programme announced for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The programme will feature a record 33 sports and 339 events across the Games. New Zealand is expecting to send a team of more than 200 athletes to the Games where more than 11,000 athletes from 207 nations will compete.
New Zealand Team Chef de Mission Rob Waddell says the schedule will keep New Zealand Team supporters busy across the games.
“It’s going to be a jam-packed few weeks of competition and the New Zealand Team is already looking forward to getting to Tokyo and showing the world what it's capable of,” said Waddell.
"Having the detailed event schedule now allows our athletes and sports to plan with certainty and prepare with absolute focus on when they need to be ready to own their moment.
"Our athletes are currently working towards New Zealand Team selection. There is still a lot of time between now and the Games but Tokyo 2020 is shaping up to be fantastic for New Zealand and there will be some stand-out days.
"The sixth of August has the men's shot put final taking place alongside the women's pole vault. On the same day we'll see the K1 500 finals and the men's track cycling omnium contested. We have strong recent form in these sports and we'll be working hard to support our athletes to continue that level of performance.
“The time difference will work well for Kiwi sports fans with Japan only three hours behind New Zealand, meaning almost all events will be screened during daytime hours in New Zealand," said Waddell.
Coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be broadcast on Sky Sport for Kiwi viewers. Fans keen to attend the Games are able to book packages and buy tickets through New Zealand Olympic Travel.
Other key dates for New Zealand sports fans include the sailing finals which will be contested August 1st-5th with the men's 49er and women's 49erFX taking place on August 3rd. The equestrian three day event final day takes place on the same day.
Rugby Sevens will make its second Olympic appearance come Games time. The men's playoffs are set down for July 29th, to be followed by the women's playoffs on August 1st.
Canoe Sprint will be contested August 3rd-8th with the K1 200 on August 4th.
Track Cycling runs from August 3rd -9th, while the women’s shotput final will be held August 2nd.
The new sports and disciplines include men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball which will start on 25 July. Skateboarding street events will be held on 26 and 27 July. BMX freestyle park events will follow on 1 and 2 August, with skateboarding park featuring on 5 and 6 August and sport climbing beginning on August 4th. Surfing is set to make its Olympic debut on July 26th.
The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee took a holistic approach when compiling the schedule, taking into account athlete experience and wellbeing, the technical rules and regulations of the various international federations, gender balance, the popularity of individual sports in Japan, global TV audiences and operational considerations.
Notably the start times for the marathons have been set for 0600 to avoid potential hot summer temperatures.