The Olympics this year have been one for the books. Whether it's because of the spectator-less crowd, the new sports added to therepertoire, or the performances themselves, Tokyo 2020 certainly made wavesonline and in the arena. To reflect on the wins and losses of this year's games,we're celebrating four first-time events that Tokyo 2020 brought to the table. 1. Mental health was prioritized. Although American gymnast Simone Biles' stepping out of competition came as a shock to her fans across the globe, the move was ultimately a wise one that has since opened the conversation about mental health for professional athletes. Biles – arguably the best gymnast of all time – revealed that she suffered the loss of her aunt during the games, as well as experienced the dangerous "twisties [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/07/28/twisties-gymnastics-simone-biles-tokyo-olympics/] " during the vault competition. As CBS Sports [https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/2020-tokyo-olympics-simone-biles-wows-in-what-could-be-her-final-olympics-appearance/] put it:> [There is no] athlete (which is to say: human) with more expectation, hype,marketing and pressure attached to them -- to the point of it practically beingan appendage -- at the 2020 Olympics. Yet, Biles reported leaving Tokyo with a full heart, feeling reinvigorated bythe commitment of her fans and support felt from across the world.Photo credit: Time.2. Skateboarding came to the Olympics. Among the sports added to the Olympiccompetition this year (including surfing, karate, and sport climbing),skateboarding was among the most entertaining. And, the future of women inskateboarding is bright after Momiji Nishiya, 13, Rayssa Leal, 13, and FunaNakayama, 16, won gold, silver, and bronze, respectively, for dominating thewomen’s street event. The girls represented Japan and Brazil, and were seencheering on competitors throughout the skate-off. Talk about good sportsmanship! Photo credit: Getty Images.3. The Philippines won their first-ever gold medal. The country took home itsfirst gold medal from Tokyo, after Hidilyn Diaz won gold in 55-kg weightlifting.The champ was seen bursting into tears at the moment of victory, and has sincereceived recognition by major news outlets in the Philippines and across socialmedia. Hooray, Hidilyn!Photo credit: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images.4. The games were inclusive of transgender athletes for the first time. Thecompetition this year featured the first-ever openly transgender athlete to gainadmittance to the games: a weightlifter from New Zealand named Laurel Hubbard.Although she didn't win gold, Hubbard commented in a statement issued by the NewZealand Olympic Committee in June: "I am grateful and humbled by the kindnessand support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders." AlthoughHubbard is the first transgender individual to compete, she promises to not bethe last. Photo credit: AP Photo.As the closing ceremony takes place on Sunday, so toowill end the intense years, months and weeks of training for these Summer Gamesathletes (until, of course, 2024). And, although we've been watching from thecouch this whole time, we're left with continuing inspiration by the hard work,physical feats, and mental determination it takes to become an Olympic athlete.Check out the NBC Sports YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/2012NBCOlympics] channel for highlights. 12 Fun Facts About the OlympicsThink you know Olympic trivia? Check out our 12 Fun Facts About the Olympics[https://www.askqotd.com/olympic-trivia/] to test your knowledge and memoryskills about the modern Olympics, from famous athletes and locales to theOlympic motto and flag.
