Host Country Effect?… Japan's 'Medal Rush' Surprises JOC Too

by Kwon Jaehee

Published 30 Jul.2021 11:10(KST)

Updated 30 Jul.2021 14:05(KST)

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Japan wins 15 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze medals
Ranks 2nd after China

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Japan, the host country of the Olympics, is achieving unexpected success, leaving even the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) internally unable to hide their surprise.

On the 30th, Mainichi Shimbun reported, citing a JOC official, that they are astonished by the unprecedented pace at which the host country Japan is winning medals at the '2020 Tokyo Olympics,' which opened on the 23rd.

As of 8 a.m. that day, Japan was in 2nd place overall behind China (15 gold medals, 7 silver medals, 9 bronze medals) with 15 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 6 bronze medals.

Breaking down the gold medals Japan has won so far by sport: 8 in judo, 2 in swimming, 2 in skateboarding, 1 in softball, 1 in gymnastics, and 1 in table tennis.

The Olympics where Japan won the most gold medals in its history of Summer Games were the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics, with 16 gold medals each.

Japan is expected to record its best-ever performance at this Olympics.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held amid the COVID-19 situation, is evaluated as having increased the host country advantage.

Japanese athletes can practice sufficiently before competitions at facilities such as the National Training Center (NTC) located in Kita Ward, Tokyo, which provides lodging, meals, and training facilities, and unlike foreign athletes, they do not need to adjust to time differences.

According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japanese judo and wrestling athletes are continuing their training camp at the NTC without entering the Olympic Village. Entering the Village would reduce support staff due to ID card restrictions, but at the NTC, they can prepare for competitions as usual.

On the other hand, many foreign athletes have experienced delayed entry into the host country compared to previous Olympics due to COVID-19. It is also reported that many athletes have had to compete without time to acclimate to Japan’s heat.