The Tokyo Olympics has been full of joy – I’ll be sad to see it end

There has been much to enjoy about the Tokyo Olympics, not least many heartwarming stories – comedian Ivo Graham writes about one here – amid a difficult time for so many across the world due to the pandemic.

I have been struck most by two things. One, the stunning gains that have been made in some sports, from the seconds being off previous event-winning times in the track cycling, to the world-record times in the hurdles. Not that improvement isn’t to be expected – and there is always much talk about new kit – but I’m still impressed when a record is broken, particularly on this stage.

Two, the joy that new sports have brought with them. From the camaraderie of the skateboarders to the frenetic action of the sport climbing, the happiness of being able to compete at these Games has been infectious. It has also offset some of the pain you feel watching those who have had their Olympic dreams cut short by injury or error.

The emotion on the face of Katarina Johnson-Thompson was obvious as she refused treatment and the offer of a wheelchair for an injury suffered on-track – picking herself up and finishing the 200m element of the heptathlon before being disqualified for leaving her lane after falling. She issued a statement that said the injury was “heartbreaking”, but added: “More than ever, I am proud that I showed up, put myself out there and tried.”

It is that spirit that is so important to the Games, and there have been dozens of examples. Entire sports want to make sure they leave an impression, including karate – which is making its first appearance at the Olympics and is not currently on the list of events for Paris in 2024. They may only get one chance to shine.

It will be a shame to see this spectacle come to an end at the weekend, as it always is. But it will be less than three years before the next edition.

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Voices editor