How Team Canada’s team sports prepared for Tokyo 2020
In a year like no other, preparation for the Olympic Games has looked very different than usual. Here’s a look at how the teams have been training leading up to Tokyo 2020.
Women’s basketball
READ: Team Canada’s women’s basketball squad ready to shoot for Olympic podium
The women’s basketball team travelled on July 12 to Kariya, Japan, where the whole team trained together for the first time since the pandemic hit.
Finally got the whole band back together after 16 months.#madlove
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) July 15, 2021pic.twitter.com/Xuvbejy8Gv
The city of Kariya welcomed the team with open arms and even held a prayer ceremony before the team left for Tokyo.
Before departing Kariya, a prayer ceremony was held to wish the team well and best of luck at the #Tokyo2020 Olympic Games.#madlove
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) July 17, 2021
Women’s soccer
READ: Team Canada soccer squad set for Tokyo 2020
The women’s soccer team arrived on July 15 in Sapporo, Japan, where trained and are playing their first two games.
The team were very excited to show off their Tokyo 2020 gear, wearing matching outfits head-to-toe for a group picture.
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) July 19, 2021
Squaddddddd
2 days… pic.twitter.com/lAzsZ5CZHs
Women’s water polo
READ: Canadian water polo team ready to make waves at Tokyo 2020
The women’s water polo team was treated to a fantastic welcome by their host city of Morioka, Japan. They trained there for ten days before travelling to Tokyo.
— Water Polo Canada (@waterpolocanada) July 9, 2021
After 40 hours of traveling, from Budapest
to Dubai
to Tokyo
by plane
…and another 8h by bus to Morioka
The team fully embraced the experience, participating in a traditional Japanese kimono night before leaving Morioka.
— Water Polo Canada (@waterpolocanada) July 18, 2021
Traditional Japanese kimono night in Morioka, Japan
Men’s field hockey
READ: Team Canada’s squad of 16 set for field hockey at Tokyo 2020
The men’s field hockey team arrived in Okayama, Japan on July 14, where they trained for four days.
After 30+ hours, the Men's National Team has finally landed on Japanese soil!
— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) July 14, 2021
With only 9 days to go until Opening Day of #Tokyo2020 and 10 days to their first match, to say we're excited is an understatement.#TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/qsfmcjh9vA
In preparation for the Games, they trained at International Pacific University and played two test matches against Japan.
Second and final test match
— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) July 17, 2021
In their last game ahead of #Tokyo2020, the Red Caribou won 2-1 over Japan.
Both goals were scored in the third quarter by Pearson (’31) followed by Wallace (’35). Now onto the next test at the Oi Hockey Stadium…#RoadtoTokyo pic.twitter.com/jPlcYZh3iO
Softball
READ: Team Canada softball ready for the play of a lifetime at Tokyo 2020READ: Team Canada ready to get going in softball’s Olympic return
Before the softball team hit the pitch for their first two games at Tokyo 2020, The team travelled to Anjo City upon landing in Japan. It was the team’s second time in the city, as they also held a training camp in Anjo City ahead of the 2018 World Softball Championship.
Support was felt from both the city of Anjo and from all the way back home.
Men’s Volleyball
The men’s volleyball team geared up for the Games by competing at the 2021 Men’s Volleyball Nations League that ran from May 26 to June 23 in Rimini, Italy. They finished eighth overall, one spot above their previous finish at the 2019 tournament.
Since arriving in Tokyo, the team has been training at the Ariake Sport Arena.
Rugby sevens
Both the men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams competed in April in Dubai, playing in an Invitational Sevens tournament. The women’s team won the first weekend, while the men placed fifth. Both teams made it to the Cup Finals in the second weekend, losing by narrow margins.
Both teams headed back to Canada, and have been training in B.C. ahead of travelling to Tokyo.
The eight teams competing at Tokyo 2020 are the most for Team Canada for a non-hosted, non-boycotted Olympic Games. Keep track of when they are in action with our Tokyo 2020 Olympic Event Centre.