PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
Tokyo
Explanation
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, was the first Asian city to host the Olympic Games. The Summer Olympics were held there in 1964, marking a significant milestone in the sporting history of the Asian continent. Later, Tokyo also hosted the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The Olympic Games are considered the world's foremost sports competition.
Key Points
- > Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964, becoming the first in Asia.
- > Tokyo is the only Asian city to have hosted the Summer Olympics twice (1964, 2020).
- > Beijing (China) hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008.
- > Seoul (South Korea) hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988.
- > India has never hosted an Olympic Games so far.
- > Baron Pierre de Coubertin is known as the father of the modern Olympic Games.
- > The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
Additional Information
Asian Cities Hosting the Olympics
| Year | City | Country | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Tokyo | Japan | First Olympics in Asia |
| 1988 | Seoul | South Korea | Second Asian host |
| 2008 | Beijing | China | Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals |
| 2020 | Tokyo | Japan | Held without spectators due to COVID-19 |
Memory Tips
- Tech pioneer: Just as Japan was the first Asian country to rapidly industrialize and master technology post-WWII, it was also the first to host the Olympics (1964).