The Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA) backed the IOC's move to have morning finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to Wayne Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. There "was some hope that swimming’s massive popularity in Japan might permit the finals to go ahead at night," when they customarily are held. But in the end, the Japanese broadcasters "lost out to the might" of U.S. TV network NBC, which paid more than A$10B ($7.4B) for the U.S. rights to the Olympics. NBC wants to stage the swimming finals in its primetime slot at night in America, "which means morning finals in Asia." It is the second time that an Asian Olympics has "caved in to the American network," with the 2008 Beijing Games also holding morning finals (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/21).
FOREIGN HELP: REUTERS' Jack Tarrant reported IOC VP John Coates said that Tokyo 2020 organizers "must seek foreign expertise in sports where the country has little tradition or experience." He said, "Obviously in sports in which Japan is not traditionally strong, and doesn't have a lot of experience in, then more liaison work with international federations is necessary." The comments come after some federations -- including sailing and baseball -- raised concerns about Japan's ability to deliver their events to Olympic standard (REUTERS, 7/20).
TICKET PRICES: Tarrant also reported the Tokyo Games organizers unveiled domestic ticket prices for the Games on Friday ranging from less than $18 up to $2,760, the "top rate for a place at the opening ceremony." Tickets for many events start at the symbolic price point of 2,020 yen ($17.96) but these are "only for group sales," while the cheapest individual tickets will go on sale for 2,500 yen ($22.23) (REUTERS, 7/20).
2020 MASCOTS: KYODO reported the 2020 Tokyo Olympics mascots' names were revealed as Miraitowa and Someity at a ceremony on Sunday. Blue-and-white Olympic mascot Miraitowa's name is based on two Japanese words representing the concept of a bright future ("mirai") that is everlasting ("towa"). The name of Someity, the pink-and-white Paralympic character, is derived from Somei Yoshino, Japan's "most popular variety of cherry tree," and the English expression "so mighty" (KYODO, 7/22).
