Answering Google's top questions about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Exactly one year from its originally scheduled start date, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics kicked off in Japan with an unusual, fan-free Opening Ceremony on Friday.

Storylines abound at the postponed international sporting event, including the return of superstar gymnast Simone Biles, the U.S. women's soccer team's quest for redemption, the men's U.S. basketball team's rocky start in the group stage, and the addition of four new athletic events, including skateboarding.

With so many sports, news, and updates to keep up with, including the constantly changing medal count, it's no wonder people are flocking to the internet to find out the latest about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

To get you caught up on all the action, let's answer some of the most searched questions about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to popular search engine Google.

What channel is the Olympics on?

NBC and affiliated networks NBC Sports Network, CNBC, the Olympic Channel, the Golf Channel, and USA will supply full coverage of the nearly two-week event. Telemundo and Universo will offer Spanish-language coverage.

You can also stream every Olympic event online, with the NBC Sports app or NBC Olympics website, and enjoy daily highlights, a number of docuseries, and commentary with NBC's new streaming service, Peacock.

To view the Tokyo Olympics TV schedule, visit nbcolympics.com/schedule.

What is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics mascot?

Since 1968, the Olympic Games have named an official mascot for each edition. Typically fictional characters or animals that honor a native species or the heritage of the host city, these often adorable creatures are responsible for spreading the values of the Olympic Games, promoting the history and culture of the host city, and boosting the spirit and excitement of this elite event.

For the 2020 Games, fictitious superheroes Miraitowa and Someity were named the mascots of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, respectively.

Inspired by the Japanese proverb “Learn from the past and develop new ideas,” Miraitowa's name combines the Japanese word "mirai" (which translates to “future” in English) and "towa," which means “eternity.” Someity's moniker comes from the name of the cherry blossom someiyoshino, while her pink pattern is another homage to the Japanese flower.

Miraitowa, a blue and white checkered mouse-like critter, can teleport. Someity can fly, possesses the power of telepathy, and can transport objects without touching them.

Japanese artist Ryo Taniguchi designed the mascots, which were selected from more than 2,000 submissions. Japanese elementary school students helped vote on the winner.

Which gymnasts will be in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

Gymnastics was one of the most searched sports leading up to the 2020 games, with 24-year-old Biles back for her second Olympics as a member of Team USA.

Considered by many the G.O.A.T. of her sport, Biles is expected to perform daring new routines, including the Yurchenko double pike vault, a feat considered so dangerous that no other woman has ever attempted it in competition.

The women’s division of Team USA has won back-to-back gold medals and has produced the last four gold medalists in the individual all-around event.

The women who will represent the United States in the 2020 Olympic Games are Biles, 18-year-old Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles (20) and Grace McCallum (18), who will each compete in the team event, as well as Jade Carey (21) and MyKayla Skinner (24), who will partake in individual apparatus events.

The four-member team plus two specialists is a new structure for the Tokyo Olympics. With the addition of two individual spots, smaller countries that could not field a full team were able to participate.

When is Olympics skateboarding?

Skateboarding is one of four new sports that have been added for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The other three are surfing, karate, and sport climbing. 

Skateboarding will feature two disciplines — a street event held July 25-26 and a park event August 4-5.

Skateboarders will be judged on speed, timing, difficulty, originality, stability, and flow of the performance. They will compete at Aomi Urban Sports Venue — the same site that will host 3x3 basketball and sport climbing.

Why are the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021?

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were originally planned for July 24-Aug. 9 last year but were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March of 2020, the International Olympic Committee announced the games would be rescheduled for a later date, but that Tokyo would remain the host city and the games would retain the name "Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020."

The chief reason the year 2020 was kept in the title of this year's Olympic Games had to do with money. Torches, medals, and merchandise had already been manufactured with "Tokyo 2020" imprinted on it, and rebranding those items would have meant a significant financial hit for the IOC and its partners.

Is the Tokyo Olympics allowing fans?

No. In early July, Japan's prime minister announced a state of emergency through Aug. 22, because of rising cases of COVID-19 in the capital.

The IOC had planned to allow 50% capacity at sporting venues, with a maximum capacity of 10,000 fans and personnel. The state of emergency forced the IOC to eliminate fan attendance.

When is the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony?

The final sporting events of the 2020 Tokyo Games will be held Sunday, Aug. 8, with the closing ceremony to begin later that evening, at 8 p.m. Tokyo time (7 a.m. ET).

Where will the Olympics be held after Tokyo?

Six months after the conclusion of the Summer Olympics, the 24th edition of the Winter Olympic Games will kick off in Beijing. The 2022 Winter Olympics will begin Feb. 4 and end Feb. 20.

The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in 2024 in Paris, the third time for the city.