While the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics was rocky, Japan rose to the challenge of hosting the postponed Games amid a global pandemic and despite a buildup marred by public opposition, controversy and a new variant of the virus. On the field of play, the Games were an unmitigated success for the host nation, which won 27 Olympic gold medals, breaking its previous mark of 16, as well as 13 Paralympic golds.
Swimmer Yui Ohashi won the 200- and 400-meter individual medley races to become the first Japanese women to win multiple gold medals at the same Olympics. | REUTERS
U.S. gymnast Simone Biles earned silver and bronze medals during the 2020 Games, but her time in Tokyo will mostly be remembered for the far-reaching conversation she sparked about mental health issues after pulling out of the team all-around event. | USA TODAY / VIA REUTERS
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