After a very eventful couple of weeks, the 2016 Rio Olympics came to a close on Sunday, leaving us with an epic teaser for what's in store at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made his legendary entrance into the Rio Games through a green pipe dressed as Mario and the world collectively lost its mind.
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After seeing Mario -- a Japanese video game icon -- joined by Pac-Man and other anime characters in Brazil's Maracana stadium, we started to imagine all the wondrous potential of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
With five new sports -- skateboarding, karate, surfing, sports climbing and baseball/softball -- coming to the Games in 2020, we have a feeling this could be one of the most exciting Olympics yet.
Here are nine awesome things from Tokyo we hope to see in the 2020 Olympics:
This photo taken on July 11, 2009 shows Japan's 18-meter (60-foot) tall Gundam statue.Credit: KOJI SASAHARA/APRobots could be taking over the 2020 Olympics, as Japan has plans to build a "robot village" near the Olympic Village. The area already contains a 60-foot Gundam statue and the Japanese government is working to create self-driving taxis in addition to robots which will help visitors carry their luggage and find their seats in the stadium.
Credit: YANN BOHAC/SIPA via ap photoWho better than Shigeru Miyamoto -- Nintendo's Japanese video game designer famous for creating games like Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and The Legend of Zelda-- to show up alongside the prime minister dressed as Mario. We'd love to see Miyamoto dressed as Link, Luigi, Wario or perhaps even Bowser. However he chooses to present himself, we're hoping he's a key part of the 2020 Olympics.
In 1988, Akira --a Japanese anime about biker gangs set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo -- essentially predicted Tokyo winning the 2020 Olympic bid, so it seems only right that they play some part in the Opening Ceremony.
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The sacred Olympic flame can surely be trusted to stay lit in the care of Godzilla -- a famous Japanese character in the form of a giant, fire-breathing monster.
There's literally a game called "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games," so when Shinzo Abe appeared as Mario, he left many fans wondering where exactly Sonic was. Hopefully Tokyo will take advantage of this beautiful opportunity and give Sonic the attention he deserves.
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According to CNN, Nintendo's stock rose 3.5% in Tokyo after Shinzo Abe'scameo as Mario, so we have a feeling more iconic characters will definitely be making cameos.
With the recent popularity of Pokémon GO, people have once again become obsessed with the Japanese cartoon characters. Though Pokémon GO is unfortunately not an Olympic sport, hopefully the 2020 Olympics will find some way to bring Pokémon to life and incorporate them into the opening ceremony.
Hello Kitty and other classic Sanrio characters are an important (and adorable) part of Japanese pop culture that will unite people of all age groups, and lets face it, make the Olympics so much cuter.
Come on. How great would an Opening Ceremony be with some karaoke?
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Before the whole robbery scandal of Rio 2016, Ryan Lochte graced us with this Instagram photo of him and Michael Phelps carbo-loading with some spaghetti before their 200-meter individual medley. Hopefully the athletes will be enjoying a lot of the beloved Japanese soup dish, Ramen, in 2020.
TopicsOlympics
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